TRAVIS MATTHEW CATELLIER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

TRAVIS MATTHEW CATELLIER In the early hours of the morning on Sunday, July 13, Travis went out to the graves of his brother Jesse and his dad Bert, in his pain and burdened heart, sat quietly and opened two beer cans, placing one for Jesse and one he must have drank himself. What thoughts and tears he had we can only guess. The last few years have been tough and in those early hours, the shadows of the night always play the strains of confusion and pain so much worse than when the sun comes up to chase the shadows away. Travis went to the farm and drove up to the hill where he and his brothers and cousins have laughed and played, had bonfires, skidooed and rode dirt bikes, a place echoing with good memories, a place where I think he could feel his connection to those he loved. He quietly sat in the soft tall grass, texted his love to his Kerry, to his friends and family, and then took his own life. We wish with all our hearts that he would have waited for the sun to shine brightly and chase enough of the shadows away to remember that he had a journey to take. But this was not to be. He was a very loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and most of all a husband, lover, and best friend to the most beautiful, wholesome and dearest woman in Kerry Lynn. These words are not rhetoric or fairy tale, rather they are the most sincere way that I know how to clearly share his precious soul, however imperfect and troubled. Travis was born as the sun was rising in the early hours of May 20, 1984 at the Lacombe Hospital. When his dad held him, he just smiled his silly grin and while kissing the top of the little silvery head, announced in a proud voice, My three sons . He began school in Alix, but spent most of the years in Lacombe, graduating from Lacombe Composite High School in 2002. Travis was very handy with his hands from drawing to woodwork to machinery. He was teaching himself guitar and had a real thing for Guitar Hero. At some point I think that all his friends should host a Guitar Idol Event where he can watch in spirit and play along. He worked very hard, like all of my sons, for which our family has been very proud. He was with his two favourite uncles, Pierre and Henri, working in what was his dad's business, CatBros Oilfield Construction, at Alix. They were starting to show Travis the ropes of what to do as a boss and there was a plan to see a way to help him eventually start something with his name in it. He was shopping for a new Harley Davidson motorcycle, to feel a little more like his dad, I believe. He, like Jesse and Chad have always been so lonely for Bert. He was tall and loud and had the best laugh, always standing out in the crowd. He was passionately loyal to his friends and family alike. Family togetherness was like a mantra to him, he dreamed of four children after a big beautiful wedding, to his Kerry Lynn. He talked long and hard to his brother Chad for hours on end about always being there as a good reliable loving dad to Aiden and Drew, and to me to make sure Jesse's little Madeline never felt lost and lonely without her dad, somehow, whatever it would take. We will keep this alive for him. Travis is deeply missed by his love, Kerry Lynn Leslie and her parents, Gary and Charlene Leslie who for all of these years, held him like a son, through thick and thin. His mother Ingrid Braak of Red Deer, stepdad John Braak of Lacombe. The other intensely saddened heart is his brother Chad Catellier, his wife, Bobbi Kamps and their two fabulous children, Aiden and Drew. His little niece, Madeline Catellier, and love is sent to Travis from Maddy's mom, Megan and Nick and her new little sister Alex. Travis has his lovely Memere, Armande Catellier of St. Malo, Manitoba, his fond old Grama Tove Sorensen of Red Deer and Grampa Mac Sorensen of Lacombe. He has 11 Catellier Uncles and Aunts (and spouses) and five Sorensen Uncles and Aunts (and spouses). There are 36 Catellier cousins and next generation cousins and 16 Sorensen (of which there are four Sorensen/Catellier double cousins) and next generation cousins. He has a third family - the Braaks, Pakke Peter Braak (late Sylvia) six uncles and aunts and 17 Braak cousins. His good friends like Jesse Henderson of Lacombe and David Henderson of Calgary, Darren Storey, Mitch Chapin, Ryan Henshaw have been tight since the second grade, still at 24 years old. Bless all of you, for always being by his side. He was predeceased by his father, Albert Catellier, in 1988 and his big brother Jesse Catellier in 2005, and his Papere, Aurile Catellier. Sleep well Travis...in peace. Dad and Jesse wait by the gate. To my love, my best friend, you will always be with me in my thoughts and heart. The memories that we shared together will carry me through all the days of my life. I love you sweetie. - Kerry Lynn Family and friends are invited to meet for prayer services at Wilson's Funeral Chapel, 6120 Highway 2A, Lacombe, AB on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated from St. Mary's Catholic Church, #6 McMillan Ave., Red Deer, AB on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Alix Cemetery. If friends desire memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA, 4505-77 St., Red Deer, AB T4P 2J1 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to - subject Catellier. WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe and Rimbey in charge of the arrangements. 403-782-3366 403-843-3388 A Caring Family, Caring For Families www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2008