Remi MAISONNEUVE

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MAISONNEUVE: Remi (Ray) Joseph passed away at Brandon Regional Health Centre on February 7, 2009. Ray was born on January 10, 1937 in Curran, Ontario. He was the only child to Rheal and Therese (Lavigne) Maisonneuve. In his early years Ray spent many hours with his cousins, who he considered as his brothers and sisters, being he was the only child born to his parents. New Year’s Day was Ray’s favorite holiday. It brought back fond memories of his childhood, spending the day with all his relatives at his grandparent’s home. He always had a special place in his heart for his grandmother Josephine Lavigne, who helped raise him. As a young man Ray loved to joke and pull pranks on unsuspecting individuals. Ray also raced snowmobiles and won many trophies for his accomplishments in the sport. All through his life Ray loved to go hunting and fishing. He passed his passion for fishing onto both his sons Marc and Luc. At the age of 20 after several jobs, Ray joined the Air Force in 1957. On May 2, 1959, Ray married Bessie Yvonne Bishop, at RCAF Station, Rockcliffe, Ontario. Later that year they were posted to Trenton, Ontario. Ray and Bess started their family in 1960, with the birth of their son Marc. In July of 1960 the family was posted to 2(F) Wing, France. Their two daughters Christine and Micheline were born in 1961 and in 1962. Their next posting was to St. Hubert, Quebec, in the summer of 1965. Their third daughter, Joanne was born in 1967. Later that year they were posted to Lamacaza, Quebec. Here they gave birth to their second son, Luc, in 1969. After spending five years in Lamacaza, the family was posted back to St. Hubert, Quebec in 1972. Their final posting was to CFB Shilo, Manitoba in 1978. Ray retired in 1985 at the rank of Sargeant. Ray’s retirement didn’t last long, as he was hired as a civil servant with the Brandon Armories and CFB Shilo as an accountant. In 1994, he hung up his boots and officially retired. Ray will be deeply missed by sons: Marc (Carol), and Luc; daughters: Christine, Micheline and Joanne; grandchildren: Michelle, Jessica and Joey. Also left to mourn are his children’s mother Bessie and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Ray was predeceased by his father Rheal in 1968 and his mother Therese in 1986. Thank you to Dr. Peter Van Rensburg, Home Care and nursing staff on the 3rd Floor of the Brandon Regional Health Centre. A special thank you to the nursing staff of the Palliative Care Unit for their wonderful care and compassion for Dad. It was very much appreciated by all the family. The Ceremony to Celebrate Ray’s Life will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon, Manitoba on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Major Velma Preston and Captain Bill Preston will be officiating. Interment will take place in May 2009 in St. Pascal, Ontario. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Dinsdale Personal Care Home, 510-6th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 3A9; Canadian Diabetes Association, Westman Region, B-727-10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4G7; or The Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 9Z9. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.comArrangements are with Memories Chapel and Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 21, 2009