HECTOR LIONEL DESILETS, JR.

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HECTOR LIONEL DESILETS, JR. (PETE) We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Hector on July 25, 2015, surrounded by family in his home, after a short illness. Pete will be remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Marthe (nee Bernardin); daughter Suzanne Turner and husband Alan of Winnipeg, daughter Maureen McCaughan and husband Ray of Kelowna; daughter Evelynn Richards and husband Brent of Headingley, son Norbert Desilets and wife Sherry of Headingley, and daughter Odette Bock (late Gary Bock) of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren, Brian Turner (Jess), Melissa Turner, Amy Bohn (Matt), Lindsay Sabean (Shane), Terri-Lee Harris (Dan), Christopher and Gillian Richards, Nichelle, Stephanie, Kelsey and Kyle Desilets, Brittany Bock (Jonathan) and Lauren Bock; also four great-grandchildren, Dayton Turner, Dylan and Mackenzie Harris and Maximilian Bohn. Also mourning his loss are his sisters; Thérèse Roy of Red Rock, Ontario, Georgette Bradshaw of Winnipeg and Rolande Foster (Glen) of Brandon, as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all those he met along the way. Dad was born on February 8, 1930 and lived all his life in Elie with his beloved wife Marthe where they raised their five children. On August 1, 2014 they moved to their new home in Headingley. Dad was a quiet and humble man and very proud of his family and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took an active role in their lives and futures. He was always active in ensuring that the next generation would have the opportunity to educate and find their own way in the world. The success of his own children and grandchildren was a constant source of pride for him and he often followed their progress proudly. He lived for the large family gatherings and enjoyed many, many great meals prepared with love by Marthe and the children, in one place, enjoying each other's company. Dad was a driving force in ensuring that his hometown of Elie would be a great place to live and raise a family. He served on many boards and helped to mold a place where family and community is the cornerstone for many peoples' lives today. For all his efforts, Dad received the Chamber of Commerce Business Appreciation Award on April 14, 1998 for his accomplishments and long standing devotion to the community of Elie. Dad was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #8566 White Horse Plains Council and the Portage Council and an avid member for 49 years. He attended most meetings and events and was in charge of many raffles. Dad devoted countless hours as a member and even the proud gardener of his parish, Blessed Sacrament Church in Elie. He was a past member of the Elie Community Club and an avid curler in his day. Just recently Dad received the Gold Heart Award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for being one of 182 people to become a Gold Heart Canvasser in Manitoba. Dad devoted much of his working life to growing a successful business. Elie Agri Service was one of the oldest family owned businesses in the area. His father, also Hector, owned the local grocery/hardware store and operated the Esso Agency from 1929 before starting a bulk fuel depot in 1954 to supply fuel and agricultural products which were in demand by the then modern day farmer. Dad took over the business in 1959. Esso was in the family for 82 years spanning three generations. From farm to farm and every Hutterian community, Dad never failed to serve them in an honest and ethical manner. A fire destroyed the Elie Agri Service offices and building in 1976 but fortunately it did not devastate the business. Dad was very proud, when in 1985, his only son Norbert joined the business and has, in turn, grown that little hardware store in Elie to the success that it is today. "Many family occasions were delayed because Dad was always ready to deliver fuel to a family that needed it. We always associated the smell of heating fuel with our Dad." Please join the family in celebrating Hector's life at a memorial service on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Elie, Manitoba; Father Michel Nault presiding over the sacraments. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Blessed Sacrament Church, Building Fund, Elie, Manitoba. Dieu, chère épouse, enfants, petits enfants, arrières petits-enfants et familles, je me suis soumis à la volonté de Dieu, j'ai vu venir la mort avec le calme et le courage que donne la foi. J'avais demandé à Dieu, de vivre quelques années encore. Dieu ne la pas voulu, que sa sainte volanté soit faite. "Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence." Pope John Paul II Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. 204-248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326, www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2015