RICHARD CORMIER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RICHARD CORMIER It's with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, Richard Urgel Cormier on December 2, 2013. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Yvette (née Kirouac) in 2010, his son Roger in 1991, and his parents Martial and Antoinette (née Bergeron) Cormier. Richard is survived by his son Denis and daughters Lorraine (Marcel) Lambert, Diane (Jim) Reinhardt; grandchildren Rene (Kayla), Matthew (Courtney), Chantal (Kevin) and Jenna and great-granddaughter Brianna, daughter-in-law, Linda Boychuk; his sister and brothers, Arlette Hebert, Louis (Laura) Cormier, Leroy (Liliane) Cormier, Harvey (Shirley) Cormier, John (Linda) Cinq-Mars. His sisters-in-law, Simone Verrier, Liliane (Leroy) Cormier, Marte Kirouac, Louise (Armand) Savard, Jeanne Lacroix, Yvonne (Adelard) Pelletier, Maguerite (Ernest) Savard. Predeceased sister and brothers-in-law, Joe (Bernadette) KIrouac, Alphonse Kirouac, Alcide Kirouac, Marianne Kirouac, Edmond Verrier, Adelard Kirouac, Joe Verrier, Romeo Lacroix, Edmond Hébert. Dad was born in St. Boniface; his family home was on Dollard Street. His family moved in the Depression years to Badger, and then to avoid going on relief, bought a farm in La Broquerie. Later, they moved back to their home in Winnipeg, and this home remained in the family until 1984. Dad always had a good work ethic and worked from a young age. He could do anything, and could build anything, including fabricating his own tools. In 1939, he joined the army for a short time, then he worked in the coal mine in Michel, East Kootenays, BC. Due to Dad's love of aviation, he worked for Transair as a Riveter/sheet metal worker in Winnipeg, and for a short time in Montreal. He later moved back to Winnipeg to work in sheet metal. He met the love of his life, Yvette Kirouac and they married on June 19, 1950 and settled in St. Boniface to raise their family. He worked as a bus driver with Winnipeg Transit for 33 years and then worked at the St. Boniface Museum as a part-time maintenance worker for the next 10 years. Dad always had his passion to travel throughout his life and loved camping and fishing. Because of his love of people and a great sense of community, both he and Yvette volunteered and participated in many organizations: Les Scouts du Canada, Les Chevaliers de Colomb, Conseil Goulet, League for Life, Pregnancy Distress, to name a few, and he sat on various committees in their parish of Précieux Sang for over 40 years. We learned so much from him about love, family, enjoyment of life, dedication, commitment, sharing, and how to challenge ourselves and to give to others. Dad really loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and spent many hours playing with them, building things with them, and teaching them some of his skills. Dad was a jack of all trades - he could design anything, fix anything, and build anything he set his mind to. Mom and Dad also had many beautiful trips in their retirement years all over the states and Canada, and to many locations in Mexico. These past few years have been a difficult journey for Dad but he always had a smile, loved to laugh, and was always happy to see you. Our family would like to thank all of our family and friends for all of their love and support. We would also like to thank Ma tante Arlette for her great support for our parents and for us, and for not only being a sister but also for being my Dad's best friend. Thanks also to Uncle Louis for his support and for visiting with our Dad on a regular basis. Since 2007, we would like to thank the incredible staff from Home Care at St. Boniface Hospital, Misericordia Health Centre Interim Care 5th floor. We would like to give special thanks for the compassion, support and devoted care given by all of the staff from 5 AB at Taché Centre and by Dr. Chowdhury and the nurses from Manitoba CancerCare. In keeping with Richard's wishes, cremation has taken place and a funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Précieux-Sang Church, 200 Kenny Street, followed by a gathering in the parish hall. The interment will follow after the reception for those who would like to attend. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Flavie Laurent. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 07, 2013