ROBERT MARK BEAUCHEMIN

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ROBERT MARK BEAUCHEMIN March 7, 1946 - November 17, 2006 Safe in the Arms of Jesus In loving memory of our beloved son, brother, husband, nephew, uncle and friend. Our beloved Bob was called to his heavenly home on November 17, 2006. Bob will be deeply missed by Merrily, his wife of 46 years; his two sons, Marc (Laurie) and Richard; and his granddog Panzer. He also leaves to mourn his mother Elizabeth Beauchemin and his siblings, Noella Petit (Gilbert), Doris Griffith (Syd), Sylvia Rautavuori (Bill), Roland, Hélène, sister-in-law Leona, along with nieces, Jacqueline McCormack (Ken), Nicole Rouire (Louis), Lynette Beaudry (Richard), Marielle Beauchemin (Chad), Theresa Beauchemin and Margaux Beauchemin (his little bijou), and nephews, Bernard Petit (Denise), Noel Petit (Angie), Daniel Rautavuori and Marcel Beauchemin. Bob was predeceased by his father Jules Beauchemin of Ile-des-Chenes, his son Jamie, and his niece Andrée Dufault. Born in St. Boniface (Winnipeg), Bob at an early age took on many of the responsibilities of helping on the family farm in Ile-des-Chenes. It was there that he developed a strong work ethic and strong ties to his French Canadian heritage. After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor's of Science Degree, Bob moved to Toronto in 1967 to work for Trans Canada Pipelines. It was there that he met Merrily and made Thornhill his home. He then moved over to Ontario Hydro remaining there as a Chemical Engineer until his retirement in 2000. Bob's life was very colourful as exhibited by his love of travel to far off countries, piloting his own plane, skydiving, playing his country and western guitar and playing tennis to name a few of his passions. He was the penultimate father coaching several baseball and soccer teams over the years for his three sons. When Jamie was ill with epilepsy and required much care, he devoted any free time to biking and ball-playing at the local park at the end of his street. Mostly he will be remembered for bringing joy and laughter wherever he went. He was a great one to laugh at his own jokes. Always the entertainer, he took great joy in filling a room with a song (accompanying himself on the guitar) and a good joke or a tale from his youth. He was a very proud francophone and was always committed to maintaining his French language skills. His passing was as dramatic as his life had been. He died as a result of a motor vehicle accident in his Porsche on November 17, 2006. His funeral and celebration of life were celebrated in Richmond Hill, ON on November 26, 2006. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Bob's name to the York Region Epilepsy Association in Thornhill, ON. Until we meet again Love, Your sisters, Doris and Hélène.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2007