Marcel DECOCK

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DECOCK: On Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre in his 85th year, Marcel Lionel (Sonny) Decock of Wawanesa, MB, passed away peacefully following a brief illness. Marcel was born on August 30, 1935 at Hartney, MB, and at the age of four, moved with his parents Marcel Sr. and Juliet (Marcil) Decock who have predeceased him, to a farm in the Municipality of Oakland near Wawanesa, MB. He lived on this farm until ten days prior to his passing. He is survived by his fiancée Judy Montgomery of Wawanesa, and his sister Rachelle Prince of Los Angeles, California, as well as numerous cousins in both Canada and the USA and dear friends and neighbors. Marcel received his education at the Sourisbourg (Methven) and Wawanesa schools. He would often reminisce about walking to school in the winter with newspapers around his feet to keep the snow from coming through the holes in his boots. He was an excellent student and those who got his textbooks after him would notice that there was not a mark anywhere on the pages, they were always in excellent condition. Farming was Marcel's life, he poured his heart, soul and sweat into his land. His machinery and vehicles were his children, carefully tended to, kept well repaired, meticulously cleaned, and faithfully stored out of the elements. Marcel was known to tell people who drove into his yard in dirty vehicles that they should get them washed! You could eat off the floor of his vehicles, they did not last long on a car lot when they were traded in. People knew that any vehicle previously owned by Marcel was a good deal! Marcel's yard was always well groomed, grass cut, trees trimmed and buildings painted. He often put himself at risk when he was trimming his trees or painting his barn by having a ladder in the bucket of his front end loader and reaching unsafely above his head when no one was around. He was not immune to getting stitches in his arm from a slip of his chainsaw. He was a fiercely independent man, but was always willing to help his neighbors when called upon. Marcel was very mechanically inclined and loved anything that had a motor in it. He took great pride in restoring old tractors, stripping them down to the bare bones and rebuilding them into "as good as new" condition. He often attended the Austin Thresherman's reunion. He also had a love of airplanes, putting together many models  and collecting books on flight. It was his dream to become a pilot, perhaps now he will get his "wings". Marcel was a longstanding member of the Brandon Aviation Museum. He was a regular blood donor for many years and a supporter of numerous charities. Marcel was a bird lover except for crows and magpies. He had numerous feeders in his yard for chickadees and hummingbirds. He would go to extreme measures with pieces of tin to prevent the dreaded squirrels and raccoons from stealing the seeds. Many a pesky critter met their demise after being lured into a trap baited with marshmallows! Marcel was a wise and learned man, a voracious reader and researcher. If he didn't know something, he would look things up until he got an answer. The internet was a valuable resource to him. Marcel was a very private man, he played his cards close to his chest. He was a savvy accountant and had the mind of a stockbroker! Every penny earned and spent was accounted for. Before anything was purchased, Marcel knew exactly how much it was worth and would not be persuaded to pay a penny more. Many a deal fell through if Marcel did not get his price. He was not comfortable in crowds, but on a one to one basis he could converse for hours on any topic with anyone from any walk of life. He was a very observant individual who had the uncanny ability for sizing people up and he was usually bang on! Marcel was very much a part of Judy's family. He attended baptisms, graduations, birthday parties, weddings, and Christmas dinners! Somehow he survived the chaos and would hold newborn babies, fix vehicles, and lend a hand or give advice only when asked to. He enjoyed helping Judy's Dad restore an old Massey tractor and transported it to many local fairs, parades and the Austin Thresherman's Reunion. Many a card game was played with Marcel around Judy's kitchen table. He always enjoyed and appreciated a home cooked meal that he didn't have to prepare himself. Sunday drives across the line to visit cousins, attending fall suppers in the area and exploring the countryside were enjoyable times for Judy and Marcel! He will be missed by many. Judy would like to express her appreciation and thanks to Dr. Kaiser and staff of the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon for their excellent care of Marcel during his final days. Your kindness, time and professionalism will never be forgotten. Judy will be forever grateful to Marcel's wonderful neighbors for their help and support during this difficult time. Thanks also to Jamieson's Funeral Services of Glenboro for handling Marcel's arrangements, and to Shirley McBurney for your spiritual guidance. Thanks as well in advance to the Ladies of the Wawanesa United Church UCW for providing the lunches for Marcel's end of life services. The many cards, phone calls, visits and gifts of baking and food from the community is very much appreciated. A private internment has taken place in the Methven Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring when everyone is welcome to attend. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in Marcel's memory can be made to the Methven Cemetery Memorial Fund, the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.willmorchapel.comJamieson's Funeral Services of Glenboro in care of arrangements. 204-827-2480.“You were always there when we needed you No task too great or small, With a loving heart and a willing handFor us you did them all.Thanks for the years you gave us,And for the times we shared,We only pray when you left usYou knew how much we cared.God saw you getting tiredWhen a cure was not to be,He put His arms around youAnd said, “Come unto Me.”

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 15, 2020