EDWARD AIME BERARD

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EDWARD AIME BERARD July 23, 1948 - January 4, 2017 Eddie was a kind, but quiet man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our "Papa" as he liked to be called by his grandchildren, was a devoted husband, dad, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. Eddie's story starts on July 23, 1948, as he entered this world moments before his twin brother Ron, born to Antoine and Lea Berard. Soon after, St. Boniface would be called home for his entirety, where he spent his childhood growing up, going to school, working and raising his family. In 1966, he met the true love of his life, Judy Bodnar from Selkirk. He always said it was her legs that attracted him. Their love soon blossomed and so did the arrival of his firstborn, Michelle in 1967. Marriage followed on March 21, 1969 in a very simple civil ceremony which was all that he and Judy needed to commit their love to one another. Being the parents to one child changed in 1976 with the birth of his son, Michael. A family of four were we. Eddie was a very hardworking provider for his family, most of the time working six days a week. He always ensured his children never went without anything that they desired, fulfilling their wishes with the help of Mom. Let's not forget that Ed was a frugal man too, for he knew how hard he worked for that money. Ed was a valued employee, barely ever turning down work or overtime. Working as a millwright mechanic in many meatpacking plants in the St. Boniface area; Canada Packers, Best Brand Meats and Jack Forgan Meats. His work ethics made him a desirable person especially when the operation of the entire plant was up to him to get going again and keep running smoothly. When not working, Saturdays and Sundays were spent on the greens of Cottonwood and Oakwood Golf courses with the family golfers. He often would be seen in his backyard chipping away at non-existent golf balls with his hand over his eyes, shielding the sun to watch how far the pretend ball went, or shooting balls at the roof of the house. On August 4, 1995 Ed shot a 156 yard "Hole In One" at John Blumberg Golf Course, using a 5 wood Slazenger on Hole #3. Often he'd remind his competitors of his achievement, especially in midst swing. He had a passion for Volkswagens and could be seen driving many in the 1970s. The history behind them, their ease of fixing and economy were the attraction to his Beetles. He loved hot rods and motorcycles too. An amazing welder/fabricator was he, making anything he wanted. Gates, nuts and bolts people, banks, trailers, planters, fences, hooks were just a few creations he constructed. He was always sketching out his next project. Dad had a very artistic quality. He had many sketches of people under his belt. For many years he would transform his signature on his cheque into a profile of someone. The bank tellers always anticipated his weekly drawing on Fridays. His most prized accomplishment was his custom 3 Wheeled Trike he built from the ground up. Though never fully completed to his liking, a beautiful machine it remains. His face would light up like never before telling how onlookers would turn their heads, giving him a thumbs up while driving down Portage Avenue. Ed loved to sit on his back deck with his pack of smokes and a beverage of choice with eyes on the sky, peering at the clouds and stars. He once said that a bird would be his choice if there was an afterlife, because of its freedom to soar and the views from above, for he had no fear of heights. He thought that would be "The Life". He received that exhilarating experience when he successfully skydived from a plane at the age of 50. It was just a trial run for the future. Our Dad/Papa was a courageous, fearless man battling a rare form of brain cancer for 12 years. His receipt of countless chemo and radiation sessions over the years never caused him to complain. He took them like fighter. The past five years since Mom passed were the hardest on him. His love had suddenly departed before him and that saddened him immensely. Although his longing for her and passed family strained at his heart strings, he continued to carry on with dignity until the very end on January 4, 2017. In our eyes he may have lost his battle, but he won because he beat all the odds that were stacked against him. Loved ones that cleared the path for Dad are his adoring wife Judy, parents Antoine and Lea Berard, in-laws Bill and Anne Bodnar, brother Gerald Berard, brother-in-law David Danby, brothers-in-law Donald and Bernie Bodnar, sister-in-law Connie Kist and great-granddaughter Adeline. Nearest and dearest that will miss him until they meet again are his children Michelle (Johnny) and Michael (Tiffany); his grandchildren Jocelyn (Eric), Colin, Oliver, Annabel and new grandbaby on the way; also great-grandson Mylo. Those others also mourning his loss are his siblings, George (Lex), twin brother Ron (Cathy), sister Eveline (Danby) and special goddaughter Christine Berard. Dad had numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much each in their own special way and could always make them laugh. And so the story goes on until we see our dad and our papa again. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal We love you and will forever miss you dearly. In keeping with Eddie's wishes, there will be no service. Cremation has taken place.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 14, 2017