ROGER FOURNIER

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ROGER FOURNIER Après une longue maladie, le 29 mars 2010, Roger est décédé est au Centre Taché à l'âge de 78 ans. Il a été précédé dans la mort par sa femme Yvette en 2007. Père dévoué de Ginette (Jacques), grand-père de Kirk (Brandy) et arrière-grand-père de Patric, Samantha et Devon, il laisse aussi dans le deuil ses beaux-frères Léo (Rosemary), Georges (Marie), Roland et sa belle-soeur Joan Fournier. Il laisse également ses nombreux neveux et nièces ainsi que notre amie dévouée, Angela, qu'il considérait sa deuxième fille. Mon père est né à Saint-Boniface le 18 janvier 1932, bébé prématuré de deux mois. Son arrivée précoce dans ce monde fit dire aux médecins qu'il ne vivrait pas, mais, Roger Damase Appolinaire Fournier (portant un nom plus long que le bébé) a tout de suite fait preuve d'une détermination féroce qui le caractériserait au cours de sa vie. Son enfance a été heureuse pour la plupart. A l'Ecole Sacré-Coeur il est devenu comédien à l'âge de six ans. Muni d'une petite bicyclette, il interpréta la chanson Des bonbons et de la confiture tout en faisant le tour de l'estrade qu'il ne voulait pas quitter. Plus on le chassait, plus il pédalait! L'enfance de Roger a été aussi marquée par la tristesse. Son père Xavier est décédé jeune et peu après mon père a perdu son petit frère Bernard. Au secondaire, Papa a connu de belles annés; il aimait beaucoup les mathématiques. Toutefois, il a quitté l'école à 16 ans pour aller travailler. Il a oeuvré à divers emplois, mais, à Stall Furs en 1949, ses yeux verts pétillants sont tombés sur une très belle femme, Yvette Rowan, qu'il a épousée en 1950. Ensemble, ils ont élevé leur fille tout en participant à de belles fêtes de famille où Papa continuait à divertir tout le monde avec sa joie de vivre. Ayant pris sa retraite de Postes Canada en 1991, il a commencé un nouveau chapitre de sa vie. Maman et lui ont profité de plusieurs voyages aux états-unis, de nombreuses croisières aux Antilles en plus de voyages en Europe. Roger aimait jouer le rôle de guide, toujours prêt à essayer des mets inconnus et à communiquer tant bien que mal dans la langue du pays. Un peu plus tard dans sa vie, grâce à son gendre, Jacques, il découvrit le golf, sport qui lui a apporté énormément de plaisir. Il a toujours été si jeune de coeur et tout le monde le lui disait! En 2000, mon père a connu l'une des plus grandes joies de sa vie, les retrouvailles de trois cousins québécois, Robert et Stella Fournier et Irène Fournier. Maman et lui ont fait un voyage inoubliable à Sherbrooke et ont passé une semaine à rire, à raconter des histoires du bon vieux temps, à chanter et à se balader en voiture. Comme ces êtres chers lui ont manqué pendant sa longue maladie! Heureusement, ses petits cousins étaient unis à lui dans la prière. Face aux épreuves, Papa répondait toujours de la même façon : Dieu va m'aider. Il a pris soin de ma mère pendant ses dix ans de maladie bien que son propre état physique et moral ait souffert énormément. En septembre 2008, il est entré au Centre Taché, au Pavillon ABC où il s'est tout de suite lié d'amitié avec les résidents et le personnel, et, bien s r, il faisait rire tout le monde. A titre exemple, lors de l'Halloween, il enfila sans aucune hésitation le costume d'un lutteur sumo! Pendant les quatre derniers mois de sa vie, il a reçu la visite de gens qu'il appréciait beaucoup sans le leur dire : Monsieur et Mme Roy et Roland, merci, Père Larochelle, merci d'avoir prié avec lui tous les soirs. Chère Marie, que Papa appelait la gentille dame , merci de l'avoir apprivoisé, de l'avoir réconforté. A tout le personnel du pavillon ABC, sachez que vous êtes devenus sa deuxième famille. Ces quelques mots ne suffisent pas à décrire mon père, mais je chéris les leçons de compassion et de foi qu'il nous a léguées. Son Dieu l'a convoqué là où il n'y a plus de douleur ni de peine et Papa y est allé volontiers. Les prières auront lieu le jeudi 8 avril à 19 heures au Salon mortuaire Desjardins, 357 rue DesMeurons. La messe des funérailles sera célébrée le vendredi 9 avril, 2010 à l'Eglise St. Timothy's Roman Catholic Church, 135 chemin John Forsyth. Un enterrement privé aura lieu. La date n'a pas encore été déterminée. ROGER FOURNIER After a long illness, on March 29, 2010 Roger Fournier passed away at Taché Center at the age of 78. He was predeceased by his wife Yvette in 2007. He was a loving father to Ginette (Jacques), grandfather to Kirk (Brandy), great-grandfather to Patric, Samantha and Devon. He also leaves to mourn his brothers and sisters-in-law, Léo (Rosemary), Georges (Marie) Roland, Joan Fournier, his many nieces and nephews and our devoted friend Angela whom he called his adopted daughter. Roger came into the world two months too soon in Saint-Boniface on January 18, 1932. His mother Alma was told that her tiny son would not live but, right from his arrival into this world, Roger Appolinaire Damase Fournier (a name almost as long as the baby!) demonstrated his signature strength and determination. His early years were happy ones. At Ecole Sacré-Coeur, his elementary school, he became an entertainer at the age of six. His Grade One teacher gave him a tricycle and taught him a little French song, which he insisted on singing over and over again until they chased him off the stage. A few months ago, Dad had a very special visitor at his door, the same teacher who, now a resident herself of Taché Center, had seen his name outside his door and had remembered his antics. Sadly, Dad's childhood was also marked by the loss of his father Xavier and shortly after his brother Bernard. He loved high school especially mathematics, but, like many of his generation, he left in his late teens to start work. One of his earliest jobs was at Stall Furs. Although he was sent home on the first day because his jeans were considered too tight (Dad did have a rather interesting sense of style!), he did meet a beautiful girl named Yvette who would soon become his wife. They married in 1950 and spent the next 57 years building a home together, raising their only daughter, travelling and enjoying many Rowan and Fournier family gatherings. Roger worked so hard to make a good life for his little family. He spent several years working at Westeel as a welder, a kitchen assistant at Deer Lodge Hospital and the last 27 years as a postal worker. Retirement came in 1991 and overnight he became a full-time gardener, cruise passenger and chauffeur to anyone who needed a ride in an always-spotless car. And how he loved getting together with his neighbours and friends, Cornel and Paul! You could hear the laughter throughout all of St. Vital. As a father, Dad relished in seeing me pursue my studies, driving me to university for four years, never missing any of my theatre productions and even coming to talk to my students and asking them how I was as a teacher! He was so very young at heart motivated by a zest for life and a sincere interest in people around him. With Mom, his brothers and sisters-in-law and our dear Mémère, he travelled the United States and Europe never refusing to eat anything or to try to speak the language. His younger brother Nelson made him laugh and tried to teach him carpentry and home repair without much success. When his nephews and nieces were little, they followed their Pied Piper uncle on all kinds of adventures. In his later years, thanks to his son-in-law, Jacques, Roger learned to golf and what a discovery and a joy it was (for Roger)! Dad's positive attitude towards life was tested many times, both by Mom's illness, her death and later by his own physical decline. In September 2008, he moved to Taché Center, 4ABC Wing. There, he befriended residents and staff alike, always so fascinated by their stories. Everyone remarked that Dad was very observant and caring about people and that, above all else, he loved to make them laugh. I cannot begin to express our profound appreciation for your compassion especially during his final days. You always had time to listen. Thank you to the entire 4ABC staff and to Doctor Eng. In so many ways, you became his second family. We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional care given Dad by Dr. A. Abdulrehman for two years prior to his entering Taché Center. In the face of suffering and death, Dad's faith was always his first line of defense. He believed in God's mercy and has gone home to Him very probably escorted by Brother André in whom Dad so fervently believed. Prayer service for Roger will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 DesMeurons St. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at St. Timothy's Roman Catholic Church, 135 John Forsyth Road at 11:00 a.m. with Father Phil Daley officiating. A private interment will take place at a later date. DESJARDINS 233-4949 1-888-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2010