JAMES EMILE BOUDREAU

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JAMES EMILE BOUDREAU July 21, 1931 April 14, 2007 Suddenly, after complications arising from heart by-pass surgery, James (Jim) Boudreau, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at St. Boniface Hospital. Jim was taken away in an instant, far too early, during his golden retirement years that he shared with the love of his life, Lillian. Jim was born and raised in Fort Frances, Ontario. His wife Lillian was literally the girl next door , who he grew up with and fell in love with. They were married on June 19, 1954. Four children soon followed in short order. Jim's formal education ended after Grade 10 when he decided, as the oldest son in his family, to enter the work force to help his parents. That began an impressive journey starting as a milk delivery boy and ending as Regional Manager of Western Canada for his corporate services insurance firm. He went a long way professionally using his God given abilities and his passion for excellence, hard work and determination. His children were raised in a time of minimal personal wealth, money was always tight, but he gave his children the greatest gift of all: love and affection, consistent moral standards and a strong sense of family. Among Jim's passions in life were fishing, the outdoors and woodcarving. In retirement, special times with Lillian were shared with summers at Rugby Lake, Northwest Ontario, and winters in Mesa, Arizona. His biggest passion in life was his family. Although he suffered from years of surgery and pain due to arthritis, he never missed a family outing and was always in attendance for any special family occasion, birthdays, football and hockey games, graduations or just being there to give advice. Jim believed the measure of one's life was not the accumulation of material wealth, but rather on the influence on family and friends to ensure future generations know the meaning of love and have a strong moral compass. In this Jim was a champion. Jim was loved dearly for his compassion and wisdom. Even though his children left the family home almost 30 years ago they have always felt his presence in their lives as they made their choices. As his children pass these same standards to their children we know Jim will live on forever. Left to mourn his passing is his wife of 52 years, Lillian; children, Holly (Larry), their family Karl and Eric; Guy and family William and Matthew; Kallie (Nathalie), their family Lauren and Daniel; Mark (Rose), their family Lia, Radek, Neill, Brent and Mitchell; his mother Dora Boudreau; sister Elsie (George) Tremblay and family Dave and Debbie; sister-in-law Joan Boudreau and family Brad, Lori and Brent; sister-in-law Nel Melville and son David and a number of nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his father Arthur (1956), and brothers, Richard and John. Memorial Service for Jim will take place on Saturday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Arthritis Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation Good bye dear Jim, Dad, Papa, Rest well, till we meet again. Gilbart Funeral home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 18, 2007