FERNAND PAUL BERARD

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FERNAND PAUL BERARD On June 9, 2013 surrounded by his family, Fernand passed away peacefully at the DeSalaberry District Hospital in St. Pierre Jolys. He was born April 26, 1927 in St. Pierre, the fourth child of Léona and Antoine. He married Bernadette Lahaie on June 25, 1949. They made their home in town where he worked as a mechanic. Several years later they settled on a farm just South of St. Pierre Jolys. Farming was dad's life, but politics was his greatest passion. With the support of his wife, Fernand was first elected to the municipality of DeSalaberry in 1960. He devoted 35 years to public life. In his early 50s Fernand obtained his pilot's license. He took great joy in flying his airplane. He was also proud to say that he parachuted out of a plane at the age of 67. He leaves to mourn his children: Roger (Colette), Maurice (Florence), Norman (Colette) and Louise (Marc) Badiou; grandchildren: Danielle, Julien (Shannon), Chantal, Gabriel (Chantal), Joël, Jilliane, Daphnée and Kasia; great-granddaughters Annie and Méline; sister Aline Lahaie; brothers: Jean, Henri, Luc, Réal (Eva), Raymond, Alfred (Suzanne) and sister-in- law Isabelle Catellier. Fernand was predeceased by his beloved wife Bernadette (née Lahaie); daughter Nicole and son Michel; brothers Samuel (Irène) Bérard and Claude, sisters-in-law Marguerite Bérard, Céline Bérard and Dorilla (Laurent) Perron; brothers-in-law John Lahaie and Denis Catellier. Pepère, you will be sadly missed. We will always hold you in our hearts. "Hug a farmer" Funeral Mass will be held at St. Pierre Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, June 13, 2013. Video at 1:45 p.m. followed by Mass at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow in the St. Pierre Jolys Cemetery with Father Antoine Vo Van Hoa officiating. The family would like to thank the DeSalaberry District Hospital staff for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Palliative Care Unit of the DeSalaberry District Hospital Box 320, St. Pierre Jolys, MB R0A 1V0. Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2013