Roger Poiron

Roger Poiron

Peacefully at the Swan Lake Hospital on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, Mr. Roger Poiron of Somerset, Manitoba passed away at the age of 83 years.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife Anita (née Gauthier); seven children: Claude (Doris) Poiron, Diane (Alan) Toupin, Jean (Jeanne) Poiron, Louis (Johanne) Poiron, Gisèle (Gerald) Rondeau, Jules (RoseLynn) Poiron and Lise (Guy) Rouire; 27 grandchildren: Roland (Liane), Ginette, Michel (Liane) Poiron; Geneviève (Benoit), Gabriel (Jocelyne), Joanne (Beau), Christian, Zachary Toupin; Natalie (Robert), Lynne, Mathieu Poiron; Charles, Vincent, Jérôme, Benjamin Poiron; Stéphane, Véronica (Alex), Brigitte, Jolene Rondeau; Ryan, LiAnne, Joel, Kayla Poiron; Maxine, Samuel Jean-Paul, Stephane, Lianne Rouire; three great-grandchildren: Bailey and Elise Toupin and Jude Burton-Toupin. He also leaves to cherish his memory one sister Sr. Hélène Poiron; one brother René Poiron and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Rogatien and Marthe Poiron and by two brothers Norbert and Victor.

Dad was born in Somerset and lived there all his life. In his early years, he went to Somerset School and helped his father on the family farm. As a young man, he joined the Jeunesse ouvrière catholique movement where he met the love of his life, our mom. Following the premature death of his father, Dad took over the family farm at a young age. He never had the opportunity to go to university but he pursued his studies by correspondence, becoming self-educated in many areas. He was a dedicated farmer and family man and successfully led the family farming business into his 70s.

Dad was involved in his community at a high level, serving on many boards and councils: Somerset Cooperative, Pool Elevators, Village of Somerset Councillor, Village of Somerset Mayor and School Trustee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Parish Council. In 2006, his remarkable community service was recognized by the CDEM when he was awarded the Prix de reconnaissance de sa contribution significative à sa communauté . He received many other awards for his countless hours of community service. Dad also gave of his time and money to many other charities in Haiti and Africa as well as the Centre Flavie-Laurent. Among these, his most precious was the sponsoring of his two adoptive' daughters, Isabelle and Anastasie from the Congo.

During his retirement, he was able to devote more time to another of his passions, woodworking, for which he had great talent. He spent many hours in the workshop that he had set up in the basement with all the necessary tools for detailed projects. He was happy there and proud of his works of art which were always done to perfection according to his own personalized plans and drawings. He was always willing to lend a helping hand on any renovation or construction project his kids or grandkids undertook. Dad was an avid reader and was interested in acquiring knowledge on a variety of issues which he loved to discuss with us. He also participated in writing a family history book as well as the Somerset history book. In his spare time he liked curling and playing Age of Empires on line with his kids and grandkids.

Our dear father faced all of his health issues with courage and patience, conserving his unique sense of humour til the end. Sleep peacefully, dear dad. We will cherish many precious memories of you!

Funeral Services will be held in the Somerset Catholic Church on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Eulogy and Video at 2:30 p.m., Funeral Mass at 3:00 p.m. followed by interment in the Parish Cemetery with Father Gabriel Levesque and Célestin Malengu Mubaya officiating.

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