MARCEL ARMAND (T) MAILLET

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MARCEL ARMAND (T) MAILLET

January 9, 1975 - March 7, 2026

A charismatic man who generously shared his heart with everyone he met. Hospitable, charitable, humble and kind. Cherished father, brother, uncle, cousin. friend, mentor, supervisor and business owner.

Marcel came into the world with a flurry during a blizzard like no other. Thank goodness we were only a block from hospital when our good neighbour and firefighter helped Mom to the hospital by toboggan, and just on time!

Marcel has been a hopeless charmer ever since... Teachers loved him at St. Augustine’s, Kirkcaldy Heights, Sacred Heart and Crocus Plains. He was a born entrepreneur who so often broke the mold for his generation. Using a Commador64, he became a computer nerd who taught his mother how to game like a pro! In his down time, he was forever working to earn a buck. A favoured Brandon Sun and Westman Journal carrier, Dickie Dee driver, dish pit pro at Achillions Restaurant, restaurant host, pizza delivery dude for Romana Pizza, and disc jockey at Look Music. Marcel loved music and had a knack for discovering incredible music even before the Grammy nods were earned. He even tried his hand at multi-level marketing with Amway back in the day.

As a young adult, Marcel got the itch to head west where he started out as petroleum transfer engineer (gas pump jockey) and matured into a valued store manager at a busy corner Esso in Chilliwack, BC. Missing his family and prairie roots, he returned to Brandon for a few short years where he made many friends in furniture sales at The Brick. But his love for the mountains and a special lady called him back to BC.

In 2002, Marcel was united in marriage with Nicole Hooyenga. Together they brought three beautiful people into the world: "The Artist" Ramona Grace, "The Legacy" AJ (Armand Jonathan) and "The Soulful" Russell Marcel.

One might say Marcel was a “mover 'n shaker” who didn’t sit idle when ideas came to mind. In times of transition, Marcel started a photography business, worked in a Lowes Building Centre, and dabbled in website development. But customer service is where his nurturing spirit thrived most. In 2016, Marcel put his heart and soul into Character’s Pub. This is where he leaves our story; he worked so hard, and was so humbled by all he had accomplished.

Predeceased by his parents who he admired beyond measure, Armand Joseph (1932-2024) and Grace Anges Maillet (nee Pritchard 1943-2024), mother-in-law Lorna Hooyenga (2004), Godfather Rene Maillet (2025), and admired brother-in-law Kevin Searle (2020). He is survived by his beautiful children and three sisters, Patsy Searle, MaryJane Brownscombe (Richard), and Renée Maillet (Paul Lee - a treasured friend, ex-brother-in-law.)

Marcel will be remembered for his laid-back nature, upbeat attitude, sense of humour, endless smiles, leadership and warm heart. All too often, Marcel put the needs of others before his own.

Donations in his memory can be considered to: CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association), CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), or Liver.ca

A Celebration of Life will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Characters Pub, 8559 Young Road, Chilliwack BC.

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. (J.M. Barrie)

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 06, 2026