DENIS GEORGES NORMAN L'HEUREUX

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DENIS GEORGES NORMAN L'HEUREUX
September 24, 1977 - September 24, 2022

LIFE STORY

No one knew that morning it would be Denis' last "kickstands up" doing what he loved with the people he loved. On his 45th birthday on Provincial Highway 311, the Road Gremlins beat the Asphalt Angels 1-0 by not following his number one rule; always keep the rubber side down. Question of the day…why does it happen to the good ones?
Pinch yourselves now, you're not dreaming. This is a nightmare that will take years to review, analyse and recoup from. This beautiful man was truly a Big Deal to everyone, everywhere, all the time whether you were family, friends, co-workers, or strangers. He was the real deal! Authentic, loving, handsome, honest, loyal, hardworking, supportive and unselfish. If you didn't know him, you will never forget him now. He was the most extroverted introvert anyone has ever met or known in their lifetime. As soon as he could on our epic tie-dye Fridays, he'd summon our people and post the famous the patio or garage is open for "Happy Hour Au Paradis Lise & Denis". He joked around that he had no friends yet was surrounded by them. Goof! You knew he was a cool dad when his two grown-up sons would hang out with him more than their own friends! To know him is to want to be with him, make him proud and love him...forever!
Denis, Knob, Husband 2.0 to Lise, Papa to Leden, Kaden and Brielle, le fils à Georges et Yvonne, le petit-grand frère to Lynne, Doris, Paul and Denise, Uncle Knob to Pascal (Stephanie), Jessy (Rheanne) and Dom (Morgan), Uncle Knobby to Desiree and Hope, Geeg's handsome son-in-law, le beau beau-frère to Vivianne and Chantal, Shaun, Gilles, Clarence, and Alec, Monocle Denis to Julianne, Ti-Jeune to La Puma, yummy daddy, Collège Beliveau's Van Wylder 2.0, the Happy one, Monsieur Le Triste to Mme Burns, L'il Bro to Nicole, Big Bro to Lori, friend to Ryan, Uncle Denden to Ethan, Ava and Jack, lifetime friend to Marlen, drinking buddy to Brian and Jonny, bestest neighbour to Nelson and Katherine, Volleyball extraordinaire, Lovely Leroux, Cougar Bait, the Big Unit, Flag Football Coach, Festival's Meilleur Voyageur, Deen's Caribbean number 1, PIT football master, Monsieur Leuleu to the Guyot students, Slammer (SMB), Paper Dragon, Cuzz to uncle Robin, Guy Smiley, asphalt Foreman, Wintec Boss, Doug's best travel buddy, VCH Prez, epic hugger, Jays in 30 binger, Blue Bomber fan, NFL addict, Golf enthusiast, Happy Hour Host, Nickname giver, now Saint Denis and always BGSXY (special shout out to Steve D for that one)!
These are just a few of his favourite things: kissing his wife every morning before going to work, drinking coffee in his garage contemplating life, greeting Nelson with a "good day young man", hanging out with his sons wherever and whenever, sneaking off to Starbucks on Saturday mornings with B after they cleaned the bikes, going to Tajmapaul, hanging out with our across the street besties Peter, Colette and Loic, seasonal fishing, the end of the dock at Dorothy Lake, manning the BBQ, being a meatatarian, listening to his Spotify playlist, all day happy hours with Doug and Marlen, mentoring his Grasshopper Parker, eating food with Nic and Charla, breakfast, lunch, supper, snacks, food, beer, riding his big sexy black Harley, watching TV with Louis on the couch, calling all his girls Kitty Kats, getting sassy with his Prospect Joc, spending time with his mistress Linsey, co-parenting with Jeanette also maintaining his relationship with his former in-laws the Constants, spontaneously creating nicknames, teasing everyone, making fun of yellow crayon eaters, growing his beard, shaving his head, wearing jerseys, flipping the big boys during Jambette competitions, drinking Moscow Mules or Miller Bubblés, Spicy Waters or any kind of whiskey, sending midday "love you" texts, naps, visiting the Harley Davidson store, talking about Harleys with Trevor at HD, looking in his rear-view mirror and seeing his personal motorcycle parade, walking aimlessly around Cabela's, perusing the aisles at Princess Auto, eating out, washing his truck, surprising his wifey with a clean car, building fires, bonfires with the Ginters, shooting the breeze with his brother Paul, Brian and Jonny, owning and selling Château L'Heureux, displaying his Oakley shades, riding for a cause, fair weather golfing, talking about his family, getting home from work, taking holidays and lastly creating The Voyageur Clubhouse.
We really want to thank everyone that has been part of our love story and now we need to support those who are shocked by the twisted and unexpected ending. We've tried our best since that confusion on the highway, to hug it out, call, message, greet and thank anyone who experienced the loss of our beau Denis. Friends, family, even strangers will forever be affected by the preventable road conditions and human negligence that day. You don't know anything about it unless you were there to see it in slow-motion live on location. All the moving parts of people and motor vehicles. You couldn't recreate this scene for a movie if you tried. No possibility of even a "take two". Just one takedown. Then everything became chaotic, cacophonic, the sky darkened, the air swirled, faces were blurred, bodies numb, emotions flew, voices fluctuated, amplified by the relationships and responsibilities each of us had. The seconds, minutes and heartbeats vibrated through the air as we tried to triage the voices and sirens in one big tornado of noise. In a blink of an eye, insanity ensued. Our daughter pulled off miraculously and saved by our lead rider Denis, making her slide right into the ditch, muddy, able to get up and run into the arms of our VP and dear friend Brian.
We wish forever wellness and healing to all parties involved in the chaos and confusion of that fateful afternoon. Particularly, Wally, Lily, and Michelle. It is also important to mention our gratitude for the help from the nearby neighbour with the red truck, the regular people who were able to stop and help block traffic on the highway, the on or off duty RCMP, EMTs, and volunteers. Asking questions, answering them, coaching the wife, guiding the crowd, maintaining patience, giving space, asking me to go, letting me return, protecting all parties, navigating the thick glazed surface, yelling on the two-way radio, hydroplaning, hugging it out on the ground, clicking pause on the remote of life then abruptly listening to the sound of silence... this is alot but he was a big deal to alot of people. Our journey towards healing can only happen together. Please reach out to us. We will be here if any of you need us. Special thank yous to our friends and spokespeople, Doug H, Mary J, Jocalyn H and Luigi C.
We are not looking for fame or playing the blame game. We will push for change. #thel'heureuxlaw/#laloil'heureux.
People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. The lifetime relationship you'd inevitably have with D, would teach lifetime lessons. Our job was and is simply to accept them, love and use what you've learned in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant. If you didn't know him on this day; that Saturday afternoon when the sky was misty and grey, and the ground looked smooth and black...you'll surely never ever forget him now or ever! Isn't it ironic that someone who worked almost his whole adult life to fix, pave or clear snow from municipal and provincial roads got taken out on one? Don't you think?
We came upon this poem that perfectly depicts how Denis' presence and lessons have enriched our lives. Now imagine him as handsome as can be, smelling delicious with a hint of Mont Blanc on his chest, looking straight at you with his sexy smile, saying these words...

Take the love you have for me
And radiate it outwards
Allowing it to touch and impact others
Take the memory you have of me
And use it as a source of inspiration
To live fully, meaningfully and intentionally
Take the image you have of me in your mind
And allow it to fuel you
To take action
Seize the day
And be reminded of what is most important in life
Take the care you have for me
And let it remind you
To care for yourself fully
And shower yourself with your own love
And take the pain and grief you feel
Following my loss
And alchemize it into
Love, compassion and beauty
Build a castle
From the wreckage of my passing
And allow it to unlock your greatness and potential
And empower you to become more than you ever thought you were capable of being
And know that I can never truly leave you
And will always remain beside you
Watching over you in spirit
And that the love I have for you lives on
Through the connections you form
The kindness and compassion you share
And the future relationships and friendships you cultivate.
And until we are one day reunited
I will remain with you
Through the storms and chaos of life
And am always beside you
Walking with you, laughing with you, crying with you and smiling with you
And I am proud of you for being strong
I am proud of you for being brave
And I am proud of you for being you.
Words by Tahlia Hunter

Au Paradis Lise & Denis will never be the same without you babe! Please know I tried my best to depict your life story and the simple man you will forever be.
Now, stay tuned for the most epic crokinole game between the other spirits in the sky, Mononcle Henri (gentle giant), Uncle Roger (the calm one), his papa Georges (the cheater), and Denis (the competitive one) along with his father-in-law Pierre cheering them on loudly. Let the battle begin and the pichnottes fly...
According to the family's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life is planned for November 12. Details forthcoming. Please note that the Facebook messages, pictures, and videos have brought us much joy. We ask that you continue to do so in the upcoming weeks. Words cannot describe the vibrations we still feel from the Ride by Event crew and the parade of almost 400 motorcycles, vehicles, his paver, and Wintec machinery that drove by to honour Denis. We are forever grateful for everyone who were and remain by our side.

Ride in peace D.
Love your family, friends, and everyone else.

In memory of Denis and to pay his spirit of generosity forward, please consider donating to any or all of the following charities:
* St. Amant: donations will be used to purchase a customized bike for someone supported by St. Amant. For people wanting to make an online donation, please use this link: https://stamant.ca/denis
* CancerCare Manitoba Foundation-Breast Cancer Pledge Ride, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Tel: 204-787-4143. For people wanting to make an online donation, you can use this link to the Memorial Donation Form: support.cancercarefdn.mb.ca/memorials
* Darcy's Arc Shelter: Follow the options, call 204-888-2266 or go to 730B Century Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba or click on link: http://www.darcysarc.ca/pd.html

Family and friends may sign a book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca.

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2022