JOSEPH ROLAND MAURICE LECLAIR (ROLLY)

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JOSEPH ROLAND MAURICE LECLAIR (ROLLY) July 13, 1933 - November 26, 2014 It is with sad and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, Rolly LeClair. Dad (Grampa) was diagnosed with cancer last July and put up such a courageous fight. Dad (Grampa) was so brave right until the end. We love him dearly for that. Dad (Grampa) is survived by his wife and partner: Helen "Lynn", Mom (Gramma) his loving companion and "partner in crime" for 55 years. Mom (Gramma) was by his side, right up until the end. Dad (Grampa) is also survived by his seven children: Debby (Les), Carolyn (Schell), Dianne, Linda, Susie (Dennis), Rolly (Nancy), and Judy. Dad (Grampa) has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be lovingly missed by all. Also, many nieces and nephews. Right up until the end Dad (Grampa) kept his amazing sense of humour. Dad's (Grampa's) laugh was infectious and his smile could light up a room. Dad (Grampa) loved to make everyone laugh. Those who knew him could attest to this. His passion for life and story telling and talking about his "book" will be missed by all that knew him. He had such a zest for life and whatever he did, any project he undertook, he would put his all into it. Dad's (Grampa's) favourite pastime was traveling with his wife Helen, "Mom" (Gramma) to Winnipeg to find new treasures in the library and archives. Dad (Grampa) was always looking up new information for his "book". Dad (Grampa) would get an idea and off they would go. They would jump in the van and on short notice they would be on their way to Winnipeg on another adventure. There were many harrowing road trips and Mom (Gramma) still laughs about them. Mom (Gramma) wouldn't have missed it for the world. Dad (Grampa) was an avid racehorse enthusiast and loved to share stories of owning, training and racing thoroughbreds, at various race tracks, all over Canada and the US. He trained some of the most amazing horses and worked for some of the most well known owners in the world. Dad (Grampa) owned one racehorse called "Hope We're Close" but she never earned the purse he thought she would. Hope's name was a demonstration of his sense of humour and confirmation of how much he wished the"big purse" would come in for him. He often teased about owning a horse named "Hoof Hearted" and would tease anyone gullible enough to take the bate on that one. A few of Dad's (Grampa's) greatest achievements in his life, were quitting drinking for over 40 years, with the help of AA, Dad (Grampa) was immensely proud of this achievement; also, Dad was very proud that he was able to go back to school in the 1970s to become an Aboriginal Liaison Counsellor. Through New Careers, Dad (Grampa) attended the University of Winnipeg, this was in 1975. Dad (Grampa) was so proud to tell his grandchildren this. The young picture above is from his previous University of Winnipeg student card. Dad (Grampa) pioneered the role of Aboriginal Liaison Counsellor at Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. He was the original Aboriginal Liaison Counsellor at the time and often talked about his work there. Dad (Grampa) was credited for putting together the first Sinners VS Saints hockey game between the R.C.M.P. and inmates. This took place back in the late 1970s. The inmate's jerseys consisted of a black and white striped jersey with the names "Mugsy", "Fingers" and "Lucky", etc., printed on their jerseys. Dad (Grampa) was very proud of this accomplishment. Dad (Grampa) was also very proud of his service in the Military. Dad (Grampa) also worked for CP and CN rail and traveled throughout the North including Nunavut. He often talked about his various adventures and experiences. Dad (Grampa) did many great things in his life. Dad's (Grampa's) stories, his research about his book and our "new found relative", through the archives, will be sadly missed by all, especially his saying "Don't tell anyone, they will think you're nuts, but we're related to royalty". Bye Dad (Grampa) we will miss you so much. At Dad's (Grampa's) request a cremation has taken place. Interment of Dad's (Grampa's) ashes, will take place at a future date and time, as per his request. Same to be announced via the Winnipeg Free Press.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2014