PAUL JOSEPH LEMAY

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PAUL JOSEPH LEMAY December 18, 1930 May 12, 2010 With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Paul Joseph LeMay of the Villa Youville in Ste. Anne, Manitoba on May 12, 2010 at the Ste. Anne Hospital at the age of 79 with his family by his side. He now goes to join his loving wife Karen who predeceased him on February 6, 2006. Paul was born on December 18, 1930 in Ottawa, Ontario to Paul and Marjorie LeMay. Soon joined by his two brothers John and Bill, he was the first of three sons. Paul spent his early childhood in the bush camps of rural Quebec, and his elementary school was in Montreal and Thunder Bay, Ontario after the family moved there. Part of his high school years were spent in Windsor, Ontario and completed in Thunder Bay. Paul went on to Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and completed his B.Sc in Business Administration. While in college, he met the love of his life, Karen Murphy. They were married June 11, 1955. They moved the same day to Thunder Bay, Ontario, and soon welcomed four children into their lives. Paul worked in the logging industry in Thunder Bay until 1969 when the family moved to The Pas, Manitoba where Paul enthusiastically worked for Churchill Forest Industries (now Tolko Manitoba). In 1982, Paul and Karen moved to Lorette, Manitoba where he took on the challenge of working for the Province of Manitoba as a Health and Safety Officer, retiring in 1995. Paul was active with the Catholic Church all of his life, the Jaycees, the Tache Food Bank, faithfully parking the old orange truck in the church parking lot every week collecting donations. With the start up of Churchill Forest Industries in The Pas, many workers were brought to town, where they were always welcomed to town by Dad and Mom. They also started the Pasdinco (Social) Club at CFI which is still active today. Dad served as Trapper's Festival Chairman in 1972, a huge undertaking and a monumental success. It seemed every holiday at our house Dad would bring someone home who wasn't able to get together with their own family to celebrate with ours. Until he became unable, he was on the board of the South East Health Authority. He cut cords and cords of wood to burn in the house and at his beloved cottage at Clearwater Lake near The Pas. He and Karen travelled the world after retirement, through the United States, England, Ireland, Cuba, Spain, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Bali, Thailand, Australia and the Galapagos. Dad was a passionate outdoorsman, living every moment he could outside, always puttering with something, usually with one of the faithful family dogs by his side. At the lake, he would cross country ski, paddle his canoe, fish, and in Lorette he kept a bountiful vegetable garden and a wonderful rose garden from which he would present the ladies in his life with beautiful roses, just because that was who he was. Dad's story telling abilities are legendary. He could turn an ordinary day into the adventure of a lifetime with his words. His sense of humour was second to none. Even through his health issues, he could crack you up with laughter with a remark made at lightening speed. Dad always helped anyone that asked. He loved his wife Karen with all his heart, and loved his children and grandchildren beyond comprehension. Predeceased by his parents, wife Karen and his brother John, his sister-in-law Rhonda, he leaves to cherish his memory his brother Bill and his partner Liz, sons Joe, Chris (Daphne) daughters Michelle (Andy) and Terry (Warren) also his grandchildren Aurora, Denny, Paul, Jake, Alix, Eric and Jordan, and several nieces and nephews. Also remembered by his brothers and sisters in law, Isabelle LeMay, Bernard and Margo Murphy, Kevin and Barbara Murphy. Our heartfelt gratitude for Laurette, Suzanne, Michelle, Pauline, Ron, and all the staff at the Villa Youville in Ste. Anne for giving Dad three years he would not have had without your love, caring and patience. We thank Dr. Duval for his wisdom, caring and compassion. He cared deeply about Dad, frequently driving the distance between Falcon Lake and Ste. Anne when Dad was the only patient he would see in Ste. Anne. To Wayne Kupiak, Dad's fishing buddy, your friendship with Dad was the highlight of his days spent in Ste. Anne. To all of you, you may never know how very much you meant to Dad. Funeral Mass will be held at Notre Dame de Lorette Church in Lorette, MB on Monday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Those who wish may donate to a charity of your choice in Paul's memory. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements 775-2220.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 15, 2010