WILFRID JOHN PERRON (WILF)

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WILFRID JOHN PERRON
August 26, 1938 - April 7, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wilfrid "Wilf" John Perron on April 7, 2020, at the age of 81, with his loving wife, Marlene Perron, and family by his side.
Wilf was born on August 26, 1938, in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Growing up as a young boy, he attended the French school Ecole Provencher. During this time, he had five paper routes, which started at 5:00 a.m. before school and continued after school. His hard-working ethics shined through at a young age.
After high school, Wilf and his brother Paul began working for their father. They worked together hauling wood out of Rainy River, ON, using the trucks owned by their father and Uncle Barney. The following year Wilf attended Business College in St. Boniface. His high marks landed him a job with the Manitoba Legislature. After a short while he realized he preferred working outdoors. He went to Ena Lake, ON to see his grandfather and took a job working as a fireman on the CNR. Shortly after, his father Wilfrid offered him one of his trucks and Wilf Perron Sand and Gravel was born.
In 1960 Wilf married his wife Marlene and they began their 60-year life together. They have five children, Denise, Danny, Michelle, Nicole and Paula. Wilf and Marlene raised their children in the Catholic Church and Sacred Heart School. Their faith was very important to them and they wanted to share this love with their children. Wilf was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
In 1967 Wilf travelled to Sioux Lookout, ON where he began working for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Not long after this, Wilf and Marlene moved their family to Sioux Lookout, where they bought the welding shop and car wash at 37 Wellington St., which became their family home and business location for several decades.
Wilf worked on many projects and contracts throughout Sioux Lookout, he took pride in building roads that connected the community and surrounding areas. He enjoyed helping his customers, where he often went beyond the call of duty to lend a hand to someone in need, or to teach someone a new skill. Even after he retired in 2005, he continued to be of service simply because he loved it so much. During these years he often delivered topsoil, provided snow plowing and managed his car wash and rental properties.
Wilf often took joy in the simple things of life, such as watching his favourite programs on TV, teaching his grandchildren how to fish, and spending quality time with family and friends at his home and camp. He loved to have a project to work on, and if you were around often enough, he would put you to work too!
Wilf was predeceased by his father Wilfrid, his mother Melina, and his brother Marc. He is survived by his wife Marlene, his five children and their spouses, his brothers, Paul, Raymond, Rolly and Gerry, nieces, nephews and several cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He touched so many lives and will be greatly missed by all.
Following Wilf's wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank all the staff at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre and for all the support and sympathies during this grieving time.
Given the delay in having a memorial service, we invite you to share your memories or stories of Wilf for family and friends to enjoy reading at:
www.celebrationofwilf.wixsite.com/wilfperron

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 18, 2020