MARCEL JEAN-PAUL GARAND

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MARCEL JEAN-PAUL GARAND August 16, 1939 - January 4, 2014 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marcel, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather after a courageous battle with cancer. Left to mourn his his wife of 51 years, Jeannette, children Raymond (Val), Guy (Pam), Douglas, Sandra, Gail, (Norm), Audrey (Camille), and Timothy (Becky) grandchildren: Timothy (Holly) Ashley, Lisa (Yves) Andrew, Douglas (Krista), Bradley, Collin (Kara), Kelly, Ryan, Chantale, Brittany, Candace, Jordan, Justin, Courtney, Alexandria, Luc, Kyle, Bella, Lilly, and Daisy, great-grandchildren Cassidy, Miquel, Jayden, Savannah, Gabriele, Liam, Taylor, Kayden, Bentley, Harper, brothers Gerard (Ruby), Louis (Pat), Roger, sisters Julianne, Juliette, Angelle, Lynn (Gerry), sister-in-law Olive, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Marcel was predeceased by his parents, Lucien and Beatrice, his father-on-law Gregroire, brother Armand, sister Laurette and brother-in-law Andre, nephews Guy, Randal, and niece Diane, also his two best friends in 2010 that left him bereft, Henry Emery, and Camille Cure Sr. He thought of them often and spoke of them sadly. Dad was a trucker first and foremost. He began driving when he was fifteen, when the Trans-Canada highway was being built in Hadashville, MB. At 17, he purchased his first truck, in the summer dad transported sand, gravel, and asphalt and worked in the bush in the winter. In 1970 he went to the bush full time cutting and hauling. In 1995 he had his frist major heart surgery which slowed him down, but didn't stop him from working in his beloved bush. However due to health reasons, dad was forced into early retirement in 2002, which left him disheartened as he had become a workaholic. After residing in Ste. Rita for 27 years, they decided to move to Drayton Valley, Alberta in December 2011 to be closer to their youngest son, Tim, his wife Becky and their young family. Grandpa always loved to play with his grandchildren, by giving him rides on the skidders, the lawn tractors, let them drive the vehicles on his lap and kept them busy in various ways. They played trucks in the sand box, raided grandma's garden, picked flowers for grandma, and getting into their mischief around the yard. And it never changed with the little ones in Drayton Valley, only grandpa moved at a slower pace. We wish to thank Dr. M. Murphy for all his care of Dad, Mom who nursed Dad to the end and Raymond for making Dad's wish come true by bringing him home. Marcel's funeral will be held at Sobering Funeral Chapel 1035 Park Avenue, Beausejour, MB Saturday, January 11, 2014. Viewing at 10:30 a.m., Service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers a donation in Marcel's name to the Liver Society, or any charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Serenity Funeral Home of Drayton Valley, AB and Sobering Funeral Home and Crematorium of Beausejour, MB are in charge of all arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 10, 2014