Oliva Dufour

Oliva Yvonno Dufour

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mr. Oliva Dufour on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at the Victoria Hospital at the age of 94 years.

Left to mourn after 71 years of marriage, his wife Géralda (née Beaudry); seven children, Louise (Marc), Denise (Herb), Jeannette (Jerry), Claudette, Claude, Linda (Wayne) and Mona (Brant); eight grandchildren, Charlene (John), Tara (Gregg), Jodie (Jonathon), Michael, Chad, Kristy (Paul), Brad and Jean-Paul; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister Gertrude Fraser and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Oliva was born February 7, 1921 in Bernard, Manitoba, where he attended school until he was old enough to work the fields.  As an adventurous young man, it would not be unusual for him to hop on a train, literally, to go find work. Oliva, with his brilliant mathematical mind was never without employment.  From farming the family land, moving to New Westminster, BC and returning to Elie as a mechanic, to mining potash in Esterhazy, and nickel in Thompson.  He worked at Manitoba Bridge then transferred to Dominion Bridge in Calgary where he was employed until he reached the age of 65.  Oliva and Géralda also worked together as superintendents in an apartment block during their stay in Calgary until his 82nd year.  They returned to Winnipeg, finally retiring, to be closer to the majority of their family.

Whether husband, brother, father, father-in-law, grandpa, uncle or friend, Oliva was referred to as a "sweet man", "kind soul", .  Dad’s wit, optimism, devotion and his love most of all will be deeply missed by all of us.   Dad was a man of few words. Our thoughts and memories of him will remain in our hearts for ever.

Funeral services will be held in the Elie Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Eulogy and video tribute at 1:30 pm, Funeral Mass at 2 pm. followed by a family interment at the Elie Parish Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Foyer Valade for the care and friendship Dad received during his short stay there.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 730 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2K8.

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