EDMOND PAUL BLANCHETTE

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EDMOND PAUL BLANCHETTE March 6, 1928 - December 28, 2006 Edmond (Eddie) passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 78. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Rita (Hall); son Gregory; daughter Rhonda, and granddaughter Chelsea Marie Pottage; brother Aurale and sister Jeanette (Ducharme); mother-in-law Myrtle Hall; sisters-in-law, Bernice Miller and Georgina Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Eddie was predeceased by his parents, Athanase and Wilda; brothers, Octave, Emile and Lucien; and brothers-in-law, Bruce Miller and Don Johnson. Eddie was born in Bateman, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he attended St. Paul's High School. He began his 36-year career with Air Canada in 1948. Eddie met Rita just after the Second World War and they married in September, 1949. Their children became part of the family in 1955 (Gregory) and 1959 (Rhonda). In 1960 the family was transferred to Montreal, Quebec, where they lived for 25 years. During this time Eddie rose steadily in the ranks at Air Canada, and also served as host in the company's pavilion during Expo 67. In 1985, Eddie took a two year consulting position at MTU, an aeronautics company in Hanover, Germany. Eddie and Rita then retired to Arnes, Manitoba, and spent the next 17 years between the lake in summertime and Naples, Florida, in the winter. In 2005 they moved to Winnipeg. Eddie had a zest for living right to his last day. Though a man of few hobbies, he was the life of many parties, and a wizard at the many renovation, gardening and construction tasks Rita set for him around the home. In later life he overcame his medical difficulties with a spirit that astounded his doctors and inspired those around him. A funeral service will take place at 3:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2007, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home And Reception Centre 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2007