ALBERT (BERT) FONTAINE

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ALBERT (BERT) FONTAINE

December 6, 1937 - September 24, 2023

It is with profound sadness and a huge void in our hearts and lives we announce the loss of Albert Vincent Fontaine at the age of 85, who travelled peacefully to the spirit world in the early morning of September 24, 2023, surrounded by his wife Theresa and family at his home in Belair, Manitoba. After incredible odds and the gift of life given to him by the creator, he lived an incredible 11 years after his first cancer diagnosis in 2012. Known as "Bert," he always had a positive outlook and attitude, truly a man like no other. He was special. His teasing ways, laughter and humour were his character's trademark. Rest assured that he liked you if he teased or joked with you.

He was strong, resilient and endured and overcame traumatic experiences and hardship starting at a young age with the loss of his father J.B. while still in Residential School and the loss of his beloved mother Agnes, several brothers and sisters-in-laws: Infant brother, Hilaire, Clem, Marcel, Elmer (Jessie), Walter (Verna), Dennis (Frances), James (Mary-Jane), traditional Brother Tobasonakwut Kinew, sisters, Thelma and Audrey, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Angele Bruyere, special friend John Kelly and recently his children, Bertram and Carmella and his beloved dog "Apple."

Albert was very athletic in his younger years and an avid sports fan until the end. He always shared stories of his IRS days playing hockey and baseball with his brothers, cousins and friends. Hockey and his beloved Detroit Red Wings were his passion. He modelled his "elbows" after Mr. Hockey (Howe), and his stick didn't just score goals. He would give his opponents an occasional spear, but his real skill that set him apart from others was his speed and finesse. A highlight was playing for an assembled select team (Team Canada Old Timers) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1978, representing Canada, where they played Team Europe, winning 5-3 and scoring the 3rd goal. He was equally fast in baseball as he ran the bases (barefoot many times) while playing with various teams, including the "Sober Nine" of Victoria Beach. In Sagkeeng and the surrounding area, there were always tournaments and "beer gardens "every other weekend. It was fun times for him, but he didn't let it take priority over his family and work.

His earliest work and career journey started in his late teens while working for Hydro One (Ontario). He walked into the labour office as many did during that time; they were all looking for work, and the boss came in and said, "Are there any drillers here?". He raised his hand even though he had never touched a drill in his life, and he was hired. Work and hard labour were nothing he turned away. He later worked for 17 years in the Abitibi Paper Mill in Pine Falls, where his father, many uncles, and brothers had also worked. On his days off, he would cut pulp wood for extra money for Christmas. With this extra "side hustle," he also saved enough money to buy his first house from Mr. Lavoie from Powerview. Eventually, he took a "pen and desk" job working for the Province of Manitoba with the Solicitor General's Office in the Department of Justice for 25 years. He travelled to many of Manitoba's northern First Nations communities during this period. He also proudly served as the Director of Health for Sagkeeng, where he retired after 12 years of service. He was instrumental in establishing a new Health Centre in the early 1980s and bringing a Pharmacy, Physician, and Dental services to improve the access to healthcare for community members.

His enjoyment in retirement was dinner and slots at South Beach Casino and travelling with his wife to many parts of the country wherever and whenever his younger brother Phil wanted company or brotherly support. A big Miigwetch to Uncle Phil's endless abundance of kindness and generosity. Thank you for sharing your laughter and treating him so well. Dearer to him was "making his rounds," visiting his children and their children. His grandchildren enjoyed him stopping in and checking in on everyone to ensure things were good. He loved his grandchildren immensely.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 65 years, Theresa; his children, Kim Guimond (Paul), Anita (Gary), Patrick, Todd (Roxanne), Wilma, Donavan (Connie), Kevin (Kryssia), Nicole (Walter), brother Phil (Kathleen), traditional brothers, Fred Kelly, Archbishop James Weisgerber, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and sisters-in-law, Janet Fontaine and Ruth Norton, son-in-law Eugene Peterson and daughter-in-law Darlene Fontaine. Also, his special cousin Agnes Swampy.

A special thank you to all his caregivers and health care aides from IERHA, Ranna, Deanna, Mollianne, Joanne, Dr. Moishe Liberman of CHUM Montreal and much appreciation to his grandson Theo, who provided exceptional care until the end and granddaughter Tara, who both made it possible for Grandpa to remain in the comfort of his home. Also, special thanks to Alice and Brian for being terrific neighbours, niece Lannette for bringing the daily newspaper and Maya for always bringing sweet treats. And for everyone else always sharing their love and kindness with our dad/grandpa.

A sacred fire was lit on Tuesday, September 25, 2023, with a viewing service on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Glen Lawn Funeral Home in Winnipeg from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A traditional private service at his home on Thursday, September 28, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 29, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Alexander Parish, with Interment at the Fort Alexander Roman Catholic Cemetery and a feast to follow.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2023