DR. GEORGES MABON

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DR. GEORGES MABON 1930 - 2016 Peacefully, with his family by his side, Dr. Georges Mabon passed away at the Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake, MB, on Saturday, April 2, 2016. He was 85 years of age. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 58 years, Jeanne, and his six children, Gisèle (Garry), Jacqueline (Gérald), Johanne (Bill), Gilbert (Laurie), Dr. Lorraine (Dwayne), Dr. Michèle (Thom), grandchildren Genevieve and Daniel, Joël (Laurie), Mychèle and Josée, Samuel and Elizabeth, Rachelle (Riley), Jacqueline and Paul, brother-in-law Dennis Lamoureux, sisters-in-law Cécile Thorson (John), Alice Mabon and Julie Mabon, cousins René Deleurme and Jeanette Jamault, many nephews, nieces and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Julien and Jeanne, his four brothers, Marcel (Juliette), Pierre, André, Jean and his grandson Myles Mabon. Georges was born June 7, 1930 on his parents' farm north of Notre Dame de Lourdes. The Great Depression was a difficult time for the family but the fields and livestock provided for the family. He attended Ecole Carnot until 9th grade, St. Paul's in Winnipeg and l'Ecole Notre Dame de Lourdes for high school, graduating in 1948. After completing his degree at Le Collège Mathieu de Gravelbourg in Saskatchewan, Georges went on to attend Medical School at l'Université Laval in Quebec City, graduating in 1957. During his years of study, Georges would return every summer to work on the family farm. After his Internship in Quebec City, Georges married the love of his life, Jeanne Lamoureux on June 7, 1958. They first moved to St. Rose du Lac, MB where Georges practiced and acquired many surgical skills under the tutelage of Dr. Gendreau. In 1960, he and Jeanne moved to Somerset. Georges then embarked on a career devoted to the people of Somerset and the surrounding communities in southwestern Manitoba. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Georges cared for thousands of patients over the years. He delivered many babies and had equal time for the youngest child or the oldest old. All problems, big or small, were handled with grace, skill and exactitude. Georges was the quintessential "G.P. Surgeon". He was fiercely proud of the Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake, and expected that every person walking through the doors be treated with equal respect. He deplored mediocrity. He was particularly grateful for having team members who shared the same professionalism: to name a few, Germaine Landry, Rachel Creaser, Ramona Sierens, Roberta Conrad, Pat Van Woensel, Mel and Julie Love, Roberta Moore, Gloria Williams, Anne Lindsay, Debbie Lambkin, Darryl Penny, Diane Labossière, Diane Dobson, Linda McDonell, Cindy Weselowski, his secretary Bonnie Foidart, Jake DeBeer, and all those who made the meals something more than "hospital food". With the collaboration of Doctors Fernand Letain and Gerard Desmond, the communities were well served. Georges also had a special personal and professional relationship with Dr. Ted Hanks of Baldur, Dr. Garry Hansen of Carman and Doctors Mattie and Bob Abell of Wawanesa. For many years, Jeanne organized patients' appointments in the Somerset office. Once the Somerset Place clinic was opened, he appreciated the contributions of Mimi Sierens and Doctors Michel Bruneau and Marcel Van Woensel. After his initial retirement, still feeling the desire to practice medicine, he and Jeanne travelled to other rural communities working as a locum to provide doctors with well-deserved vacations. Georges truly enjoyed meeting people, helping to solve their problems and participate in managing their health. His work ethic, sense of humour, desire to always learn and to teach will always be an inspiration. For many years, Georges served on the Somerset council as councillor and then as mayor. He believed in local government, in the great value and joy of rural life and was always a proud Franco-Manitoban. A true renaissance man, Georges' hobbies extended to learning Morse code to become a ham radio operator, metal sculpture, welding, woodworking, furniture building, and especially stained glass. Jeanne was often his co-artist. As his children moved away and had apartments, many of his creations went with them to their new homes. He appreciated nature, music, theatre, painting, movies and duck hunting! He and Jeanne always kept abreast of current events - his kids would often say his best friend was CNN. During his younger years, he was active playing back-catcher and snowmobiling with kids. He was occasionally seen on a bicycle. He never learned how to swim or ski but often watched his children play and loved to set off fireworks for everyone's enjoyment. In his later years, he loved watching baseball, hockey and tennis, and would meet up for lunch in Winnipeg with his medical buddies: Doctors Molgat, Alvi, Hughes, and Hamonic. He and Jeanne loved to see their children and grandchildren in Arizona, Winnipeg/Lake of the Woods, West Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and at home in Somerset. Above all, Georges was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. From the routine of everyday life, to the summer vacations or simple Sunday excursions, to education, careers and marriage, Georges, with Jeanne, extended to his family a generosity of love, guidance and opportunity. Despite being faced with a series of health challenges these past two years, Georges persevered and tried to be the master of his own health and home. The family sincerely appreciates the attendant care he received to be able to stay at home with Jeanne. Gratitude is extended to Doctors Saif Dawood and Gerard Desmond and to Dad's nurses at the Lorne Memorial Hospital, especially Roberta Conrad and Christine Gundrum, for their exemplary and loving care during his final days. Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held in the Notre Dame de la Nativité Roman Catholic Church in Somerset, Manitoba on Saturday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. A reception will then be held at the Somerset Community Hall. Family/private interment of ashes will occur at the Somerset Roman Catholic cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lorne Memorial Hospital Foundation in support of the Palliative Care Service, Box 40, Swan Lake, MB R0G 2S0. Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Ph. 204-248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2016