Joel Bretecher

Joel Brétécher

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Joel Brétécher on Saturday June 17th, 2023 at the age of 54 years at Riverview Health Centre. Our family was not expecting for Joel’s life to be cut so short so soon. We are all devastated by this huge loss and he will be forever missed. He was born with a naturally gentle and kind soul with a heart of gold, a big smile for everyone he met. He was always a joy for everyone he was around.

He leaves to cherish his beloved wife of 32 years Josée (née Gosselin), daughters Mélanie and Julie, mother Suzanne, sister Danielle (Bert) and his nephews Justin, Derik and Zach. He also leaves to mourn his sister-in-law Jaye (Joel) and his niece Dominique and nephews André and Daniel, his parents in law Gaetan and Pierrette Gosselin as well as his precious furry friend Ginger.

He is predeceased by his dad Noel Brétécher.

Peacefully surrounded by his family, we lost one of the best men of our lives after a short battle with cancer. Joel was born and raised in St. Boniface where he developed so many friendships. One in particular, was his high school sweetheart Josée. They were married for 32 wonderful years together. After high school, Joel chose to follow his father’s footsteps in the banking field. He eventually obtained his Financial Planning Certificate and secured a career at C Finance Inc. creating successful relationships with his team members and clients. He truly loved his profession.

His family enjoyed spending many wonderful moments together at the cottage enjoying the sunshine and the outdoors, boating, tubing, swimming, snowmobiling, and sitting together by campfires. He has left many meaningful and happy memories that will last a lifetime to those who knew and loved him. His friends and family will continue to honour his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Joel was the spark that ignited many gatherings. He had a strong uncanny ability to attract friendships. He kept people rolling in laughter because he could find humour in the most mundane life circumstances. His pleasant personality was contagious, bringing smiles and hardy laughter to everyone he met. As proof of this, he once spent New Year’s Eve with family at the cottage suddenly appearing with one of the kid’s bicycles with flippers, a snorkel, goggles and a shiny gold medal around his neck stating Number 1 husband. 

Those that knew Joel were particularly familiar with his love of “lake life”. Coffee on the deck, late nights by the fire, boat rides, quad rides and relaxing in the hot tub with his favorite tunes playing. Those were some of the few things he enjoyed the most. Joel was the BBQ King. He spent hours trying out new recipes, either on the Traegar, on the Blackstone, in the smoker, or frying fish in the deep fryer. Spices and the newest gadgets discovered on Amazon were often a hot topic of conversation on the deck. 

Joel and Josée loved their winter travels, mostly to their favorite getaway spot in Puerto Vallarta to which they returned many times. It was there he took pleasure in the sunsets, fish tacos, Coronas and margaritas. This is where he obtained his new summer (and let’s be honest – all year) wardrobe of Mexican Graphic T-Shirts.

You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew if, and only God knew why. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God took you home. We hope the music is wonderful, you are dancing in the sky, the sun is shining bright and the beverages are cold. May it always be 5 o’clock somewhere, wherever you are. We will see you soon.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and caring Palliative Care Team. Special thanks are extended to the C Finance Inc. colleagues as well as all the friends, family and wonderful neighbours throughout his illness who were so generous and supportive and made a difference in his life.

Dad we can finally take comfort in knowing you have found peace and tranquility in heaven. In us your spirit will live forever. You are already dearly missed!

Celebration of Life will be held at the Oak Bluff Recreation Club, 101-123 MacDonald Rd 6 E, Oak Bluff, MB on Saturday June 24th at 1:00 pm.

An open microphone will be available for anybody to share a story during the service.

The service will be available to view via Live Streaming. If you would like your name to appear in the guestbook please email your name to office@afh.ca 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba at https://www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joel Bretecher, please visit our floral store.