JAMES FONTAINE

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JAMES FONTAINE On August 17, 2011, our father James Fontaine at the age of 81 years passed into the spirit world. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years Mary Jane (nee Courchene) on January 9, 2010. He leaves to celebrate his life, his children Jerry, Vincent (Sandra), Sheldon (Lillian) and special niece and nephew Tanya (Derek), JB and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He leaves as well his brothers Bert (Terry), Phil and sisters, Thelma (Duncan) and Audrey. He was also predeceased by his father Jean-Baptiste and mother Agnes (nee Spence); his brothers Hilaire, Clement, Marcel, Elmer, Walter and Dennis and sister-in-laws Frances, Verna and Jessie. He will be remembered always for his commitment to family and community. Up until the house fire that drastically altered his life at the age of 78, he had been employed at the George M. Guimond Care Centre for 27 years. He saw fit as well to sit on numerous community education and sports committees within the community. Our dad also had the opportunity of serving two terms on the elected Council in Sagkeeng. In one of his last acts of community activity, he took the time and interest to sit as a member of the Pine Falls Hospital Board during a period of transition. It was not uncommon for our dad to provide a helping hand to his late brother Wally and sister-in-law Verna in the planning and fundraising for the Sagkeeng Old-Timers hockey team, which travelled to international hockey tournaments throughout the world. He admired his younger brother and sister-in-law for their organizational abilities and said so quite often. In fact, as an older brother would be, he was proud of the accomplishments of his younger brothers and sisters. Whether it was baseball and hockey exploits of Marcel and Bert, the travels of Dennis during his mining and heavy construction jobs, the ability of Elmer to tackle most jobs and the local, national and international accomplishments of his baby brother Phil, he took pride in speaking of them all. We honour his commitment as well to family. For our dad, his family (immediate and extended) was everything. His kindness was widely known. Many people were touched by his willingness to help and share with those in need. Our community will no doubt feel this loss and will be the poorer for it. A special thanks to the staff at the Pine Falls Hospital and of course to the family and friends at the George M. Guimond Care Centre for their kindness and care. Wake services to be held at the St. Alexander Roman Catholic Parish, Sagkeeng August 18, 2011 with funeral to follow, August 20, 2011 also from the St. Alexander Roman Catholic Parish at 4:00 p.m. with Father Francois Paradis to conduct service. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be Patrick, Hilaire, E.J. Mike, Craig Fontaine and Marcel Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Donovan Ross, Hayley, J.B. and Anthony Fontaine.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 19, 2011