MAXIME DESAULNIERS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MAXIME DESAULNIERS February 4, 1925 April 27, 2008 Epoux, père, grand-père, personnalité médiatique, golfeur, acteur, défenseur des droits des Francophones et bénévole, Max laisse dans le deuil son épouse Vivian (Parent), ses quatre enfants Lise, Paulette, Jean (Suzanne Lepage) et Jacques et ses petits-enfants Julien, Marlène, Luc et Colin. Benjamin d'une famille de huit enfants, il fut prédécédé par ses deux frères Adrien et Henri ainsi que quatre de ses soeurs Laura, Léona, Jeanne (Saltel) et Pauline (Roy), l'exception étant Eveline (Lavoie) qui vit à Ottawa. Issu de racines humbles à Saint-Pierre-Jolys à une époque où peu de gens poursuivaient une éducation post secondaire, son éducation fut subventionnée par un bienfaiteur qui reconnaissait son potentiel. Max a reçu un B.A. du Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface où il s'est distingué académiquement. En 1949 il débuta sa carrière en radio comme annonceur et chroniqueur sportif à CKSB. Il fut directeur de CKSB, maintenant sous les auspices de Radio-Canada, de 1973 - 1983 et a terminé sa carrière comme directeur de la radio et de la télévision de Radio-Canada au Manitoba. L'amour que Max avait pour la langue et la culture françaises ont dominé sa vie et il a lutté inlassablement pour les droits linguistiques des Franco-Manitobains. Il a dévoué de nombreuses heures comme bénévole au sein de plusieurs organismes communautaires, entre autres La Caisse Populaire, à laquelle il a siégé pendant 25 ans. Max était aussi renommé pour ses talents de comédien. En tant que membre de la troupe du Cercle Molière pendant près de 20 ans, il était particulièrement fier d'avoir participé à des productions gagnantes au Dominion Drama Festival. All of the above notwithstanding, one cannot think of Max without thinking of golf. He was 28 when he took up golf and did not start playing seriously until well into his 30s. Even with a very late start in this sport, Max achieved tremendous success during his 30 years at the Elmhurst Golf Club, earning a spot on the Manitoba Senior Team in 1985 and 1988. His most coveted achievement was no doubt being called perhaps the most amazing giant killer by The Edmonton Journal when, at age 67, as the oldest competitor in the Canadian Mid-Amateur, he advanced to the quarter finals of this national event. Max retired in 1985 and the early years were among the best of his life. He and Vivian spent their winters in Florida. Summers in Winnipeg were spent at Elmhurst golfing with family and friends. He took great delight in all his grandchildren. He spent a lot of time with his grandson Julien who was born the year Max retired and they developed a special bond. Later in life, nothing pleased him more than a good meal, surrounded by his loved ones. Max left us on a beautiful sunny day. Though his health had deteriorated considerably over the last years, he was granted his greatest wish - to die while still able to recognize his family. Special thanks to Jeannine McCarthy, Max's favourite niece, who came from Vancouver to be with us in the days before his death and was a great support to our family. Thanks also to the staff at St. Boniface General Hospital and the nurses at Centre Taché who appreciated his mischievous sense of humour and were so kind to us at the end. A memorial service will be held at Glen Lawn Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1. A private interment will take place at a later date. No flowers please, due to allergies. In lieu, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9 in Max's name. May you always shoot par. Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolences at www.desjardins-funeral.ca DESJARDINS 233-4949 1-888-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2008