LOUIS JOSEPH MOURANT

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LOUIS JOSEPH MOURANT May 30, 1923 - April 6, 2007 In the early hours of Good Friday April 6, 2007, after a long, courageous war with cancer, Louis Mourant, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, peacefully passed away. Louis leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 61 years, Emma, their three daughters, Louise (Cooke) Townsend (James) of Winnipeg, Candace Groberman (Marvin) of Rancho Mirage, California and Patricia Mourant (Bruce Hammond) of Dalkeith, Ontario. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Barbara Israel (Michael) and their children, Jacob and Talia and Sean Groberman (Carrie) and their daughter Lilly, all of Seattle, Washington. Louis is survived by his sister Patricia Hart of Mississauga and brother Bruce Mourant (Patty) of Vancouver. Louis was born in Saltel, Manitoba, the son of Medard (Case) Mourant and Beatrice Goyet. He grew up on a farm in Rosewood attending Arondale School and in St. Boniface attending Holy Cross School. His many aunts and uncles on both sides helped raise Louis, and numerous cousins remember him as a part-time brother. Louis left school in 1939 to drive a truck for his Uncle Eugene. In 1941 he began basic mechanical training with the RCAF and enlisted in 1942. He served in the Winter Experimental Squadron, based in Gimli. In the spring of 1945, he met a beautiful young Emma at a dance at the Polish Combatants Hall on Mountain Street. It was love at first sight and with a shared passion for dancing, Louise and Emma were married September 1, 1945. Discharged in 1946, he joined the City of Winnipeg Reserve Squadron 402 in 1947. Daughter Louise was born in early 1947 and was followed by Candace in the fall of 1948. Meanwhile he joined the Royal Canadian Legion, Belgian Veterans Branch 107 in 1947. Louis began working as an aircraft mechanic for Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada) in 1951. Third daughter Patricia arrived in the spring of 1953. In 1965, Louis, Emma and Patti moved to Montreal when Louis accepted a transfer to work at the Dorval Base. Three years later, he was offered an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor position. Louis thrived as a teacher, and using his early RCAF training in Gimli and Air Canada experience in Winnipeg, designed a course for maintenance in cold weather conditions. Living in Dorval, they made many new friends and Louis became famous for his backyard BBQ's. Louis joined the Strathmore No. 10 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Free from shift work, Louis and Emma enjoyed an exciting nightlife in Montreal, including the regular dances and pool parties held by the Interline Club. The highlight of their 15-year stint in Montreal was Expo 67. Friends and relatives from afar stayed at the Mourant Hotel . Their hospitality became part of the Expo 67 legend. In the house on Brentwood Street they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and the marriage of their daughter Candace in December 1968. Louis and Emma moved back to their hometown of Winnipeg in 1980 when Louis retired from Air Canada. Never a couch potato, Louis worked part time as a handyman at the old Holt Renfrew Store on Portage Avenue and became a fitness instructor at the South Family YMCA. Energetic and always willing, he served in many offices with the Belgian Vets Legion Branch 107 and St. Vital United Church. In 1988 Louis and Emma made a major lifestyle change, and moved into the new Fred Douglas Place and joined the historic Knox United Church. At Fred Douglas, Louis designed and led fitness classes for seniors and taught line-dancing routines. Emma developed vision difficulties, so he did volunteer work at the CNIB, which often included dancing. For his dedicated service to the Royal Canadian Legion he was awarded its highest honour, The Meritorious Service Medal in 1997. Louis' health deteriorated in June 2005, but Louis and Emma celebrated their 60th wedding in September with a gala weekend of dinners, horseracing, and family BBQ, followed by a last quick trip to Vancouver to meet with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After radiation treatment in October 2005, Louis was forced to give up his many volunteer activities and required a walker to get around. Regardless, Louis kept up his many affiliations. He received a Lifetime Membership with the 402 Squadron Association in January 2006. Regretfully, Louis and Emma gave up their much-loved apartment and friends at Fred Douglas in August 2006 and moved to Dakota House assisted living. On September 17, 2006, the Honourable Greg Thompson presented Louis with The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation . He was admitted to the palliative care ward at Riverview Health Centre on January 19, 2007 where he continued to battle cancer until he died in his sleep April 6. Louis' family is tremendously grateful to the Riverview Health Centre Palliative Care in 3E. Over his long 77-day stay, so many Angels with so many names they cannot all be listed here, helped him along his difficult journey. We are especially grateful to Jane for her understanding and counsel to our family, to Dr. Pilkey for her compassionate care, and to Helen for her passion for nursing the dying and her spiritual connection with Louis and his family. A memorial service and celebration of the life of Louis Mourant will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 12, 2007 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. (south of the Royal Canadian Mint). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or the Riverview Palliative Care Unit 3E, One Morley Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD. 982-7550

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 11, 2007