Robert De Rocquigny

Robert “Rocky” de Rocquigny

After a lengthy battle with pancreatitis, it is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our Pépère, Dad and husband Robert age 65 on May 6, 2015 at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, MB.

Robert will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years Denise (née Jacques); four children Gilbert (Lynne) de Rocquigny, Norbert (Pam) de Rocquigny, Christianne (Daniel) Rosset, Nadine (Kevin) Green and his nine precious grandchildren: 　Chantal, Janelle, Samuel, Nathan, Natasha, St éphanie, Colin, Philippe and Nicolas. 　He also leaves to mourn 12 brothers and sisters:　 Odile (Helmut) Buske, Thérèse Whapham, Joseph (Pierrette), Henriette (Norbert) Cenerini, Gérald (Michelle), Hélène (Sandy) Del Rio, Noëllie (Guy) Jacques, Jacques (Evelyn), Hubert (Dale), Anna Johnston, Suzanne (Jean) Swennen and Pierre (Kathy), brothers and sisters-in law: Margaret de Rocquigny, Irène Jacques (Jack Stefanishyn) , Marilyne (Marcel) Poirier, Robert (Denise) Jacques as well as　numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.

Robert was predeceased by his parents Louis and Laurianne (née Lambert), his brothers Albert and Jean de Rocquigny, his brother-in-law Kerry Johnston, his in-laws Armand and Adèle (née Bellec) Jacques.

Robert was born on May 6, 1950 in St. Claude, MB. 　Robert took over his father’s dairy farm with his brother Jean in 1970. After a devastating tornado in 1984, he re-built and continued on with beef cattle and grain. In 2005, Mom and Dad relocated to the town of Haywood, while his son Norbert continued on the family farm. Dad could often be found on the weekends on the farm helping with the cattle and helped make hay in the summer. During calving season, Dad rarely missed a day of stopping by on his way back from work to see if there were any new babies. One of his many joys was attending the Pembina Triangle Simmental sale every November. He made many friends and many memories. Dad was a jack of all trades. Something needed fixing, the first reaction was to call Dad.

In addition to farming, Rocky held several full-time jobs. He started out at Haywood Concrete and then moved on to maintenance in the Prairie Spirit School Division. He worked his way up to Maintenance Director and truly loved his job and co-workers. Dad was always a joker; many of his co-workers recounted fond memories during their visits in the hospital over the last several months. When his children were younger, Dad was a school trustee with the Mountain School Division for several years. He was also on the Caisse Populaire Board. Dad was always very proud of the community of Haywood.

Dad, known to his brothers and sisters as Bob, grew up in a big family. He cherished family reunions and various gatherings with his siblings. His family was by his side during his illness, often sharing stories or jokes, offering encouragement or saying a prayer. He will be dearly missed by his numerous nieces and nephews as well as his own uncles and aunts.

Robert married his high school sweetheart Denise on May 16, 1970 and they were soon to celebrate their 45 ^th wedding anniversary. Mom and Dad took several trips over the last few years that always included finding a golf course. Mom has great memories from trips out East, various trips to the States and their most recent trip last August to the US West Coast.

A typical Sunday included attending mass in the morning followed by deciding with Mom which golf course they would go explore that day. He also looked forward to his Wednesday night men ’ s league at the Treherne Golf course where he made lots of new friends.

Pépère cherised his grandkids. He and Mom attended the grandkids ’ many sporting events, concerts and milestone events. He could often be heard coaching from the stands. On several occasions he would tell mom he was so tired after one of the grandkids ’ baseball, ringette or hockey games because he had spent the entire game playing along with them. All the grandkids loved to cuddle with him and have Pépère read them a story. The grandkids would regularly go for visits and sleepovers, going on many adventures around town and on the farm.

It is bittersweet that the same day you came into this world is the day you left it. We are comforted that you are once again with your Mom and Dad, and your brother Johnny. We are so grateful for the things you taught us. We are proud of the man you were and will love you forever.

Funeral Services will be held in the St. Denis Roman Catholic Church in Haywood, MB on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Eulogy and Video Tribute at 10:00 a.m. with Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by Interment in the Parish Cemetery with Père Armand Le Gal officiating.

We the family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Health Sciences Centre and Portage District General Hospital for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Central Plains CancerCare www.centralplainscancercare.com ; 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E. Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 0K8.

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