Marcel Debaets

Marcel DeBaets

Peacefully at the Tiger Hills Health Centre in Treherne, Manitoba on Saturday November 22, 2003, Mr. Marcel DeBaets of Holland, Manitoba passed away at the age of 78 years.

Marcel was born in Bruxelles on October 12, 1925.  He attended Grange School until June 1939, after that worked on the farm and also as a hired man for farmers.

In 1946, he left the area and worked in Winnipeg delivering milk door to door for Cambridge Dairy.  In the fall of 1947, he left for the west coast and worked for Pacific Great Eastern Railway and for a sawmill in North Vancouver.

In the spring of 1951, he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. for 5 years and was sent to Aylmer Ontario for basic training.  From there he went to Camp Borden to technical school, then for 3 years to Sommerside P.E.I.  During that time he was transferred to Gimli, Manitoba for 3 months on temporary duty, from there to North Bay, Ontario to train on jet engines, and then to Cold Lake Alberta working as an aero engine technician, before being discharged in 1956.

Marcel then farmed for a short period, but soon returned to Winnipeg where he worked for Modern Dairies, servicing their trucks.  In 1983, he returned to the country, and lived about 10 miles north of Holland.
He enjoyed walking for exercise, just as he had done as a teenager, as well as reading and going for a drive.  He will be sadly missed by his many friends and family.

He leaves to mourn his passing 3 sisters:  Mary Dyck of Winnipeg, Alida and husband Raymond VanDenBussche of Notre Dame, and Annie Zeghers of Holland;  2 brothers:  Adolphe and wife Annie DeBaets of Baldur, Maurice and wife Laurette DeBaets of Holland;  and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.  He was predeceased by one brother Gerard in 2003, and by 3 brothers-in-law:  Urselin Dousselaere in 1957, John Dyck in 1967 and by Marcel Zeghers in 1982.

With respect for Marcel's wishes, cremation has taken place.  A private family interment will take place at a later date.

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