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JEAN RENE ALLARD
Born: Sep 22, 1930
Date of Passing: Dec 02, 2020
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JEAN RENE ALLARD
Jean was a brother to Guy (deceased), Sylvie (deceased), Jocelyne, Marguerite, Yves (Louise), Noël (deceased) and Denise. Jean leaves to mourn six children: Sylvette (Mario Lincourt), her mother Catherine Whyte (deceased), Paul (Veronica), Pierre, Luc (Julie), Marika (Ray Sylvestre), Marc (Autumn) and their mother Beverley. He was a proud pépère to 12 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
In his younger years, Jean, like many young prairie fellows, moved to make his fortune in B.C. Amongst many careers and jobs, he worked as a logger, deep sea fisherman and cannery worker. While out west, he met his first wife, Catherine, and soon welcomed their first child, Sylvette. Shortly after Sylvette's birth in 1952, he brought his family back to Manitoba. Unfortunately, while in Manitoba, Catherine was diagnosed with leukemia. Jean brought Catherine back to Vancouver to see her family in 1956 where she sadly passed away, leaving Jean and Sylvette to mourn her. While on the west coast, Jean continued to work on fishing boats with his brother Guy off of the cold north waters of B.C. to support his daughter, Sylvette.
The 1960s were a whirlwind and Jean attended the University of Manitoba where he made lifelong friends. He worked as a civil servant in various roles in Northern Manitoba and formally entered the political arena. In 1969 Jean ran and won in Rupertsland as a NDP with Ed Schreyer in the Manitoba Legislature. As this meant that he was often on the highway in his constituency, he always carried a fruitcake in his glove compartment as he felt if he landed in the ditch he had nourishment. While his formal political career was of only one term, Jean felt that he had learned a lot about the inner workings of political and public policy and its effects on Canadians; opinion and knowledge which he was not afraid to voice and to share.
Around that time, Jean acquired a mile of beautiful beach with surrounding properties on Lake Manitoba. He married Beverley Bohonos and the first of five children was born. Jean then returned to the University of Manitoba as a law student where he received his law degree. In 1980 the family moved to the energetic and vibrant community of St. Laurent where he ran his land development business, Lake Manitoba Estates. Life became very busy - raising children, raising 101 Dalmatians, selling lots. To add to the fun, Jean felt that the children needed to see another culture and so the family of seven found themselves in a van driving to Mexico for several winter trips. Education was always of importance to Jean and he spent years driving the children to Winnipeg each day to a variety of schools, never missing a day before the family permanently moved back to Winnipeg.
Amongst many things, Jean was proud of his Métis heritage, his leadership role - including presidency of L'Union Nationale Métisse Saint-Joseph, and authoring the unpublished manuscript Big Bear's Treaty, a concept that he developed and was very passionate about. His desire for justice led him to be involved in various groups raising awareness as to the struggles of Indigenous people in Canada, including in 2002
co-founding the Treaty Annuity Working Group (see mawg.ca).
Jean tenait à son héritage Canadien-Français et était fier que tous ses enfants, petits enfants et arrière petits enfants parlent sa langue maternelle.
Jean's interest in politics, global affairs and many other subjects never waned. At 90 years old he felt he still had purpose in life and things he wanted to do. If you asked him what he thought of a situation anywhere in the world Jean had, as usual, an informed opinion. To those who knew him, he will be remembered as a man of conviction.
A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team at 2DE, Action Marguerite St. Boniface where Jean spent his last two years making plans and sharing stories with the staff.
Bye Pa,
"À Louis Riel!"
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2020
JEAN RENE ALLARD
1930 - 2020
Jean Rene Allard has passed away
at age 90 with family by his side.
Longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Dec 5, 2020
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2020, Dec 12, 2020
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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I first met Jean in my early days of advocating for the First Nation people in Canada. He became my advisor and my mentor in Native politics. I learned alot from him about politics and I made alot of mistakes but Jean helped me fix my errors. He was very understanding and knew of the First Nation situations and together we tried to find a solution to help the people. He is a great man and will be missed. RIP, Jean! - Posted by: Leona Freed (Friend) on: Dec 15, 2020
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I was a classmate of Pierre, and I remember our high school history teacher pulling Monsieur Allard into our class one day to give us a history and perspective of Manitoba’s Métis people. He was very impressive. God bless, - Posted by: Joseph Langan (Friend of Pierre) on: Dec 13, 2020
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A good interesting man I got to know mostly at the nursing home..we chatted lots at the fireplace..glad I was able to share with him a picture of his mother he had never seen..we are related on the Grégoire side..I will miss the insightful talks we had and his beautiful smile..I so hoped he would make it back to St. Laurent as he wished..so long mon ami..mes sympathies a la famille - Posted by: Marie-Claire Granger (Relative/friend ) on: Dec 12, 2020
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A good interesting man I got to know mostly at the nursing home..we chatted lots at the fireplace..glad I was able to share with him a picture of his mother he had never seen..we are related on the Grégoire side..I will miss the insightful talks we had and his beautiful smile..I so hoped he would make it back to St. Laurent as he wished..so long mon ami..mes sympathies a la famille - Posted by: Marie-Claire Granger (Relative/friend ) on: Dec 12, 2020
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Our lunch club enjoyed John's involvement listening to his speaking from his heart with his spirited tell-it-like-it-is approach. Jean was a decent human who dedicated much time to worthy causes. He had a passion for helping those less fortunate in life. He was especially involved with trying to improve the lives of Metis and Aboriginal people. Jean tried to make this a better world. Steve Washen on behalf of the First Mondays Club - Posted by: Steve Washen (friend) on: Dec 08, 2020
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Mes plus sincères condoléances aux familles Allard de la part de l'un de vos cousins Champagnes de Montréal, Québec. I'm your cousin thru his mother Donalda Beaugrand dit Champagne. - Posted by: Richard Champagne-Girouard (2nd cousin 1x removed. ) on: Dec 07, 2020
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I am truly sorry to hear of Jean's passing. He was a unique and wonderful man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Jean toasted me as a very young bride back in 1966, in French, and I did not understand a word of it at the time. I believe it was that summer or the next that Jean brought us a salmon on the plane that had been freshly caught in B.C., which did not please his fellow passengers. But the salmon was incredibly delicious! I recall his devout heart and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. My deepest condolences to his family. Jacqueline Chartrand - Posted by: Jacqueline Chartrand (Friend) on: Dec 07, 2020
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Sincere condolences to the Allard family, and to his many friends. He will be remembered for many things but his courage and bravery stand out. A life well lived. Rest in peace Mr. Allard. - Posted by: Rae Jones (Acquaintance) on: Dec 06, 2020
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Our deepest condolences to the family. Jean was a great friend to our family. - Posted by: Angela Kuehl (Family friend) on: Dec 05, 2020
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Our dearest sympathy’s to the Allard family. Orval & Delores Beaudin - Posted by: Orval & Delores Beaudin (Lifetime acquaintance and friend ) on: Dec 05, 2020
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