GERARD (JERRY) ADOLPHE FRANSOO

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GERARD (JERRY) ADOLPHE FRANSOO Surrounded by his wife and family, Gerard Adolphe Fransoo passed away peacefully at Tache Nursing home on Friday, November 2, 2007. Jerry was predeceased by his parents, August and Eugenie (nee Cleutinx), his brothers Maurice and Charles, his sister Madeleine, and grandson Paul. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Angele (nee Roeland), and their six children: Ron (Agnes), Bev (Bill) Bourbonnais, Ken (Jo-Anne), Karen (Robert) Letourneau, Briant (Linda), and Randy (Alison); grand-children Rodney, Cathy (Peter), Kathryn (Allen), Roxanne (Lavern), Michelle, Phil (Francine), Nicole, Melanie, Jenny, Stephanie, Patricia, Jeff, Chris, Pauline, Julien, Benjamin, Mario, William; great-grandchildren Megan, Andrew, Derek, Hasana, Kane, Odin, Shanti and Levi, his sisters Alice and Margaret, and brother Marcel. Jerry was born on July 12, 1920, in Swan Lake, Manitoba and was raised on the family farm. On May 1, 1942, he volunteered for service in the Second World War, enlisting with the Winnipeg Grenadiers, then serving with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 2nd Canadian Division. He served as a signaller in Europe, and was discharged on January 18, 1945. In 1951, he met Angele Roeland, and they married in 1953. They had a full life together, raising their six children in the house across from the Belgian Sacred Heart Church, and at their cottage at Twin Lakes beach. Dad's proudest moment was taking all six kids water skiing at the same time behind his boat. Jerry ran his own business, Sterling Upholstery, joined later by his brother Maurice. After retirement, Jerry and Angele enjoyed their winters in Arizona. He was active in the church, the 74th boy scouts, the Belgian Club, the Legion Branch 107, and the Cameron Highlanders, with whom they attended the 45th and 50th anniversaries of the liberation of Antwerp as guests of the Belgian government. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Tache nursing home. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald St. Funeral mass will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, November 8 in the Precieux-Sang Church, 200 Kenny St., with viewing 30 minutes prior to mass. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Belgian Club or Legion Branch 107, 407 Provencher Blvd. And as Jerry always said, there is no good-bye', only see you later.' The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 06, 2007