MARCEL PANTEL

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MARCEL PANTEL With great sadness we announce the passing of Marcel Pantel at the Notre-Dame Hospital on December 22, 2001. Marcel beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away at the age of 88 years. Marcel leaves to mourn his loving and devoted wife Imelda of 63 years; his daughters, Norma Rocan (Ron), Lea Pantel and Jeannette Greaves (Hugh) grand-children, Jeanne Rocan (James Campbell), Claudette Rocan, Raymond, Rheal and Lise Aquin and Marie, Tom and Marcel Greaves; sisters, Alice Ralph (Thunder Bay) and Cecile Phinney (Somerset) sisters-in-law, Marie Pantel (Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes) and Rita Pantel (Somerset) and numerous nieces and nephews. Marcel was predeceased by his son Normand; his brothers, Leon, Gabriel, Albert and Raymond and sisters, Marie Deleurme and Berthe Kycek. Marcel was born on the family farm in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes on November 24, 1913. Marcel spent the early years of his life in the trucking business hauling grain and gravel. He then purchased the Somerset Transfer and ran it from 1940 to 1944. He married Imelda (Labossiere) in 1938 and they settled in Somerset. Around 1948, Marcel moved his first building. He did this on a part time basis but by 1953 he was overwhelmed by requests to move buildings and so he decided to do this on a full time basis. He had found his true calling in life. He never considered what he did as "work". It was his passion. Marcel moved barns, houses, barracks, boxcars, railway stations and move away houses to every area of the province. Marcel also worked extensively for the St-Leon Co-operative and Newton Builders. From 1951 to 1991, Marcel moved a total of 3937 buildings. Marcel and his family spent most Sundays on the road checking out road conditions, bridges, telephone and hydro wires, and any other obstacles which could interfere with the moving of buildings in the upcoming weeks. Precious memories of the Sunday excursions are always with us. As busy as he was, Marcel always took the time for family holidays. A favourite holiday destination was Vancouver. Marcel went into semi-retirement in the 1980s. He was actively involved in the construction of the Rendez-Vous building in Somerset. He also kept busy with many woodworking projects such as life-size playhouses for his grandchildren, birdhouses and birdfeeders and windmills. He would help out at this daughter and son-in-laws farm in the spring and during harvest. Marcel and Imelda moved to the Somerset Manor in 1991. Due to ill health Marcel moved to the Foyer Notre-Dame in 1998. Marcel was a dedicated family man and there were no limits to his patience, generosity and unfailing good humour. He will be greatly missed. Marcel is "On The Road Again" where he was truly happy. Funeral services will be held in the Notre-Dame de La Nativite Church in Somerset, MB on Saturday Decembe 22. Recitation of the Rosary at 1:30 followed by Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place and interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Our family wishes to thank the staff of the Foyer Notre-Dame for the excellent care provided to Marcel for the three and a half years he spent there. The devotion and compassion of the staff will always be remembered and appreciated. The family also wishes to thank Dr, Moncur, Dr. Fortier, Dr. Van Der Walt, nurses and staff of the Notre-Dame Hospital for the exceptional care given to Marcel during his final days. A special thank you to Soeur Geogette Pantel for all she did for Marcel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either the Foyer Notre-Dame, P.O. Box 190 Notre Dame, MB, R0G 2L0; the Somerset Manor, Somerset, MB, R0G 2L0 or a charity of ones choice. Adams Funeral home in charge of the funeral arrangements. Cest avec tristesse que nous annoncons le deces de Marcel a lage de 88 ans. Il laisse dans le deuil son epouse bien-aimee Imelda; ses trois filles, Norma Rocan (Ron) Lea Pantel, et Jeannette Greaves (Hugh) ses petits enfants, Jeanne Rocan (James Campbell), Claudette Rocan, Raymond, Rheal et Lise Aquin, Marie, Tom et Marcel Greaves. Il laisse aussi ses soeurs Alice Ralph (Thunder Bay) et Cecile Phinney (Somerset) et deux belles-soeurs Marie Pantel (Notre-Dame) et Rita Pantel (Somerset). Il a ete precede de son fils Normand; ses freres, Leon, Gabriel, Albert et Raymond; ses soeurs, Marie Deleurme et Berthe Kycek et nombreux nieces et neveux. Marcel est ne a Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, le 22 novembre 1913. Marcel commenca lecole a Saint-Adelard et quand ses parents demenagerent il termina ses etudes a lecole Harmer, situee 3 milles au nord de Somerset. En 1939, Marcel acheta un camion neuf. Il acheta aussi le permis pour le "transfert" dans les environs de Somerset. Il conduisit le "transfert" de 1940 a 1944. En 1945, Marcel acheta un camion pour transporter du grain, du gravier et dautres marchandises. Vers 1948, Marcel demenagea sa premiere maison de Somerset a Holland. Vers 1953, la demande pour le demenagement des batisses etait si grande que Marcel decida de sy donner a temps plein. Le demenagement des wagons de marchandises et des gares du Canadien National composerent la majeure partie du travail a ce temps la. Le demenagement des batisses lamena aux quatre points de la province. Il demenagea des maisons neuves pour Newton Builders pendant 22 ans. Pendant presque 30 ans, il demenagea aussi les maisons neuves de la Cooperative de Saint-Leon. Marcel travailla beaucoup pour les colonies Hutterites du Manitoba. En tout, de 1951 a 1991 Marcel demenagea 3937 edifices. Six cents de ces edifices furent demenages de la Cooperative de Saint-Leon. Marcel et sa famille passaient les dimanches sur la route, pour verifier les chemins, les lignes telephoniques et delectricite, les ponts, et nimporte quoi qui pourrait poser des problemes lors du demenagement des batisses pendant les semaines suivantes. Marcel vit a Somerset depuis 1937. Il epousa Imelda Labossiere en 1938. Pendant les annees 1980, Marcel prit sa retraite a demi-temps. Marcel et plusieurs autres membres de la communaute furent tres occupes avec la construction du club dage dor, Le Rendez-Vous. Marcel aimait bien passer son temps avec des projets de bois surtout la construction de maisons et mangeoires doiseaux. Il donnait un coup de main sur la ferme de sa fille et son genre pendant les temps occupes du printemps et lautomne. En 1991 Marcel et Imelda demenagerent dans le Foyer Somerset. A cause a de sa sante Marcel demenagea au Foyer Notre-Dame en 1998. Marcel etait un homme bien devoue a sa famille. Les vacances annuelles etaient importantes pour lui et sa famille. Une destination favorite etait Vancouver. Marcel etait un homme extraordinaire qui a fait le tout possible pour sa famille. On oublira jamais son sens dhumour, son extreme generosite et sa patience. La famille aimerait remercier sincerement tout le personnel du Foyer Notre-Dame pour les soins attentifs accordes a Marcel. La famillle souhaite exprimer sa profonde reconnaissance evners le personnel de l Hopital Notre-Dame pour les soins exceptionnels de Marcel pendant ses derniers jours. Un remerciement special a Soeur Georgette Pantel pour tout son aide et encouragment. Au lieu de fleurs, un don a la memoire de Marcel peut etre fait au Foyer Notre-Dame ou au Manoir de Somerset. La direction des funerailles a ete confiee au Salon mortuaire Adams Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2001