CLAUDE JOYAL

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CLAUDE JOYAL October 1, 1919 - April 13, 2006 It is with sadness that we announce that Claude Joyal, our father and husband passed away on Thursday, April 13 at the Victoria General Hospital. We were honoured to grant him his last wish that he be escorted from the world by his soul mate Anna (nee Lafrenière) and his four children Ernie (Joan), Annette Chabidon (René), Marcel (Lucie Doyon), and Michèle Marcoux (Marc). Claude goes to a better place to join his three brothers Edmond, Aurèle, and Auguste. There will no doubt be many animated discussions where all of them will display their characteristic Joyal stubbornness as well as their great love for each other. If you listen carefully, on quiet summer nights you might hear them. Left to remember THE BOSS fondly are nine grandchildren, Lise and Colin Joyal, Michael and Roxanne Chabidon, Dominique and Marie-Michèle Joyal, Mathieu, Chantal, and Joel Marcoux. The latest addition to the family is the first great grandchild Katherine Kaya Joyal. In the mid fifties Claude and Anna purchased a cottage in St. Laurent. This modest summer home became the focus of their lives for almost fifty years. It was where we developed friendships and learned the true value of being together through thick and thin. Later, the grandchildren were introduced to the cottage and they made their own memories. Gratefully, the recent sale of the cottage did not include the wonderful memories. In latter years his greatest pleasure was to preside over family events. We would assemble in local restaurants or private homes and he quite often became the source of entertainment. He seemed to love every minute, till the bill arrived. He consistently made notice of the high price of restaurant meals but rarely let us pay. To those of you who came in contact with our father in the last few years, ill health made him cranky. His inability to do small chores combined with his characteristic impatience may have made him display a less pleasant side of his personality. Please forgive him because he had a huge heart and loved everyone. We wish to thank the special people who have made our loss more bearable. Our father's surviving sister Lucille Gauthier and Yvette Joyal (Edmond) are two very classy ladies. Thank you for your love. Father Albert Lafrenière provided special spiritual support, MERCI!! The Home Care staff and the ICU staff at The Victoria General Hospital were great!! Thank you so much. Ti - Claude, you are now free to organize all the garage sales you want in heaven. GO TO IT!! In lieu of flowers, donations in Claude's memory may be sent to the Canadian Diabetes Association, PO BOX 26331 STN BRM B, Toronto, ON M7Y 4R1 so that others can benefit as our father did. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Cathedral on Wednesday, April 19 with viewing at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 17, 2006