MICKEY JOSEPH BEAUCHEMIN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MICKEY JOSEPH BEAUCHEMIN Mickey Beauchemin, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Wednesday February 13 at Gimli Betel Home. Mickey is survived by his daughters, Diane Butt (Stewart), Karen Gottfried (Larry), Debbie Meilleur (Adrian), stepdaughter Linda Walker (David) and stepson Don Walker (Susan), as well as, 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis, first wife Anne, children Sharon, Barbara, Kenny, and daughter-in-law Lotte. Dad was born on August 4, 1917 in St. Boniface, Manitoba. He spent his younger years, 1924 to 1935, in St. Malo and Marchand, Manitoba where he was raised by his grandparents Stanley and Julie Chabot after his parents Aurore and Joseph passed away. In 1937 Dad moved to St. Boniface with his brother Lionel, where he worked as an electrician's apprentice. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and married Anne Kardinal in April 1942. He was posted to Prince Rupert in 1942 then to Gimli in 1943 where he and Anne settled down to raise their family. He became a journeyman electrician in 1944 and with his brother Lionel started up an electrical, plumbing, and heating company in 1946. He worked for many years throughout the Interlake area in this profession. Dad joined the Gimli Legion #182 in 1948 and was the president of this organization on five different occasions from 1956-1972. He also became an honorary life member of the Legion, the Masonic Lodge and Curling Club. In 1962, Dad and Lionel opened up a hardware store called Marshall Wells ,which he then sold in 1974. After his first wife Anne passed way in 1961, Mickey assumed the role of raising his six children, five daughters and one son. He later met Phyllis, they were married in 1971 and continued to live in Gimli. Dad retired in 1974 and he and Phyllis enjoyed the next 26 winters in Texas up until the year 2000. Dad loved to curl, golf, play darts and his favorite activity was to dance, which he did right up to the age of 90 plus. A fond memory of the grandchildren was to see their Grandpa cruising around Gimli on his motorcycle at the ripe-old age of 80, which they thought was really cool. We would like to thank the staff at Betel for their wonderful, loving care of our father. A celebration of Mickey's life will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gilbart Funeral Chapel in Gimli, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli, in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 15, 2014