Leo Gauthier

Léo Eugène Joseph Gauthier

“Quand on jette deux grains de blé à un oiseaux,

il en prends un et Dieu fait un épi de l’autre.”

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Léo’s passing at the Tiger Hills Health Centre (Treherne) on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at the age of 88, with his loving family by his side.

Born on September 19, 1922, to Lucienne (née Lemoine) and Ovila Gauthier, Dad spent his entire life farming grain and raising high-quality beef on the family homestead in the St. Claude area.  His unflinching strength of character, fiercely independent nature and boundless energy allowed him to overcome the many difficult challenges he faced as a farmer.

Dad had an uncompromising work ethic and in partnership with his brother Raoul, worked every single day of his life until the age of 85 years, when health issues forced him to retire.   Dad then lived happily in town with Mom where they enjoyed spending time together, watching their favourite shows, listening to their favourite music and playing cards in the evening with their family.

Dad’s talents as a farmer, welder and mechanic were as big as the prairies he loved.  Dad could fix absolutely anything, often designing and building the parts he needed and even modifying equipment to make it run more efficiently.

Always ready to land a hand to someone in need, Dad generously shared his talents, time and energy with family, friends and often, complete strangers who had heard of his welding talents and would ask him for help with their own projects.

From a young age, Dad was an avid historian who documented his family’s life through his love of photography and eight millimeter films, immortalizing special moments from family Christmas celebrations and harvest times to the birth and baptisms of his six children.  Dad had tremendous respect for those and that which came before him and both he and Mom passed on this love of history and antiques to their children.

Dad loved to laugh and visit with people and would entertain us all with his animated storytelling.  He made and kept friends easily as he naturally connected with every single person who was lucky enough to cross his path, no matter their age, their culture or their background.  Dad’s natural charm meant that people were always welcomed warmly and with respect at our farm.  Dad wanted to know who you were, where you were from and how he could help you.

Dad loved Old Time Fiddle music, dancing, socializing and traveling within Canada to visit family and friends.  An avid reader, Popular Science magazine was especially appreciated by Dad and he loved to share with others all of the amazing things he read about.  Dad also loved to attend auction sales and was especially proud to have an auctioneer in the family (son Gilbert).  He faithfully attended his favourite summer fair, the Austin Thresherman’s Reunion, every August.  Dad was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years.  He loved a great meal and his huge sweet tooth was legendary amongst his family and friends.

Dad married the love of his life, his spouse of 48 years, Hermine (née Manaigre) on June 23, 1962 and together, they raised six children: Marielle, Reynald, Gilbert (Nadine), Pauline, Annette (Michel) and Lucille (Marc). Also left to mourn Dad’s passing are the four grandchildren he was so proud of: Colin, Colby, Kaylee and Sophie.

He will also be missed by his three sisters: Oliva, Anna (Tony), Laurette (Raymond);  three brothers: Henri (Yvette), Raoul and Lucien (Marie), along with his sister-in-law Céline, and many nieces, nephews relatives and friends.

Dad was predeceased by his mother (Lucienne), his father (Ovila), his brother (Alfred) and his great-nephew (Patrick).

The Gauthier family wishes to thank the nursing and medical staff at the Tiger Hills Health Centre for the excellent care offered Dad.  We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who visited Dad and who supported us throughout this very difficult time, as well as to all those who have brought meals and hugs to Mom’s house since Dad’s passing.  A special thank-you to l’Abbé Marcel Carrière who comforted us through the many prayers he said with us and for his presence in Dad’s hospital room.

We also wish to extend an extra-special thank you to aunts Laurette and Oliva, who spent many hours visiting Dad.  We appreciated their support and encouragement when our hearts were breaking at the thought of saying a final goodbye to our ‘Petit Papa’ and “Pépère Léo”.  We will be eternally grateful for all of the kindness and compassion shown Dad and his family.

We will forever love and miss you Dad.  There will never again be anyone like you…

Prayers will be held in the St. Claude Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held in the St. Claude Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, January 13, 2011.  Memorial Service at 1:30, Funeral Mass at 2 pm followed by interment in the Parish Cemetery with Father Marcel Carrière officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2.

“If love could have saved you Dad, you would have lived forever.”

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326.  www.afh.ca