Ernest HUBERDEAU

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HUBERDEAU: Ernest Alfred, of Brandon, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Thursday, March 14, 2013. Ernest was born in Birtle, Manitoba on February 20, 1951, the sixth of eleven children to Paul and Cecille Huberdeau, with a smile on his face that followed him throughout life. He grew up on a small farm in St. Lazare, Manitoba and experienced the joys of belonging to a large family, and even bigger extended family with many cousins. In 1973, he married Janice Parobec from Foxwarren, Manitoba and for the next 10 years they lived in Thompson where he worked for York Tire and Mystery Lake Body Shop. They loved Thompson and both of their children Justin and Rachelle were born there. As nice as it was, the long trips to visit family became too much, and in 1982 the family moved to Brandon. Ernest was briefly employed at Tosch McGill Honda and then for the next 30 years, Central Auto Body was his home. He was the main Autobody Painter there and loved and excelled at this job. He was a perfectionist and his work showed it. Everyone wanted him to be the one to paint their vehicle. He was also a notorious prankster, and could always be seen with a smile on his face planning his next joke. A big kid at heart he never stopped with the wise cracks, but when someone needed his help, he was always there. He enjoyed gardening and would spend hours on his lawn to make it perfect. It was not above him to sometimes sneak some dandelions onto the neighbor’s lawns just to see their reactions. It’s said that “the measure of a man’s success in life is not the money he’s made. It’s the kind of family he has raised.” Ernest was extremely proud of his children, their achievements in life, and how they showed the love and guidance to their own children. He adored his grandsons Luc and Kaleb, and was looking forward to the new addition to arrive in the springtime. Ernest retried February 2011, and started off his retirement with a bang by going on a beautiful three week holiday to Hawaii. Upon returning home he started up again with the many projects he had going on in the garage. He loved it when the kids bought their homes, and he could go there and do whatever renovations “he felt” they needed. In January of 2012 Ernest was diagnosed with lung cancer and for the next year he put up a valiant battle. Unfortunately, it was a battle he could not win, and on March 14th, with his family at his side, he peacefully slipped away. Ernie was predeceased by his parents Paul and Cecille Huberdeau and his brothers Remi and Jean Paul. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Janice, his son Justin and wife Lianne and their son Luc, his daughter Rachelle and husband Dean and son Kaleb. He so leaves five brothers Rosario, Phillip, Roger, Hector and Leo. Three sisters, Marie-Anne, Caramel, and Christine. Brothers and sisters -in-law, nieces and nephews and his many good friends and wonderful neighbors.

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 23, 2013