Joseph VILLENEUVE

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VILLENEUVE: It is with great sorrow our family announces the sudden passing of Joseph Richard Villeneuve (Rick) at his residence in Spruce Woods, Manitoba, of heart failure. Rick was predeceased by his son, Bradley Villeneuve, and parents, Evelyn and Harvey Villeneuve. He leaves to mourn his wife, Helen (Bradley) Villeneuve, his three daughters, Kimberley-Ann Villeneuve, Lisa Villeneuve Fischer (son-in-law Christian Fischer), Julie Villeneuve and her partner (Surge), grandchildren, Blayze, Rohan, Jessie- Mai, Charisma, Sunora, and Shylah. Great-grandbabies, the twins, Ryder Bradley and Talon Richard. He is also survived by his three brothers and two sisters, Larry (Sue) Villeneuve, Patricia (Rene) Vallencourt, Garry (Lulu) Villeneuve, JoAnn (Jim) Chisholm and special brother, Barry Villeneuve. Also surviving are many cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Rick and Helen met at his uncle’s summer resort in Norway Bay, Ontario. They were married in Ottawa, Ontario in October of 1962. They would have celebrated their forty-ninth wedding anniversary on October 9, 2011. Rick’s school years were spent in Ottawa, Ontario. He then joined the armed forces at the age of 17, in 1960 with permission from his parents. He served thirty-six years in the forces. He served in the R.C.R.’s and then remustered to the Canadian Military Engineers and trained as a heavy equipment operator. Rick and his family were posted to various bases across Canada, Ottawa, London, and Petawawa, ON, Gagetown, MB, and then came Shilo, MB in 1983. Here he worked with the Field Engineers on the ranges as a Firefighter, along with the German Army. He also spent time in Alert, Churchill, Chilliwack, BC, the USA and Norway. He retired as a Sergeant in 1996. Rick and Helen had bought a house in Spruce Woods in 1989, so it was there they decided to stay, as they both loved the prairies. He then got a retirement job at the Shilo Golf and Country Club, where he made lots of friends. Rick really loved hunting and fishing with his wife, family and friends. Hunting and fishing were his main hobbies, but he also enjoyed league bowling and family bowling, target shooting, snowmobiling and he helped Helen coach soccer. He drove his children to their many activities, scouts, skating, swimming, hockey, and many teen dances, etc. Rick’s greatest joy was his family and he was delighted when his grandchildren came along. Rick and Helen helped to raise their first grandson, Blayze. Blayze started calling him “Pappy” and soon the neighbourhood children were calling him Pappy too. He was so looking forward to taking his other grandson, Rohan, hunting for the first time this fall. He adored his granddaughters, he would sing songs he made up for them, as he did for the other grandchildren, and his own children. We all loved his funny songs. He was really happy when his great-grandsons were born on September 8, 2011. Twin boys! He said “Now we have four generations.” At his work at the country club or out anywhere he always had time to talk and tell his stories (sometimes tall tales)! He made many good friends. (You know who you are)! He really enjoyed playing Santa, with his wife, Helen, as an elf to the various schools, preschools, daycares, community centers and the Lion’s Club. He will always be remembered for his big “Ho! Ho! Ho!” as he entered the room. He was also well known for trying to get the best deal. Be it buying a truck or appliances, etc. Besides his gift for gab he loved to joke, tease and really delighted in having a good argument. But, if you got on his bad side he would say “I wrote you off.” But, that was Rick’s way. Some thought he was a Grizzly Bear, but deep down he was a Teddy Bear. Rick and Helen were members of the Spruce Woods and area Lion’s Club, as well as the Wild Life Club and the Spruce Woods Community Club. They really enjoyed volunteer work, such as when they helped at the Spruce Woods Rodeo this past July. He had a special place his heart for Special Olympics, in honor of his brother, Barry. Rick was our Rock. He was always there for you when you needed him. His family knew they could count on him always. He will be greatly missed, our family chain once more been broken, so until that chain is linked again he will always be in our memory. Forever in our hearts. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Shilo Catholic Chapel, CFB Shilo, MB, on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. A private interment will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Rick may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7, or the Canadian Diabetes Association, 727B-10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4G7 or to the Soldier On Program, (Helping Homeless Vets), Shilo, Manitoba, R0K 2A0. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 15, 2011