MAURICE (MO) RENAUD

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MAURICE (MO) RENAUD

It is with profound sorrow that the loving family of Maurice "Mo" Renaud wish to announce the passing of the former voice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Winnipeg Stadium, GM of the Red River Ex, and Executive Director of Winnipeg's 1974 Centennial Celebrations.

Mo, as he was known by friends and family, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024, just six weeks shy of his 95th birthday. He is survived by his three sons, Kerry, Randall, and Ritch Renaud; his daughters-in-law, Joanne (née Dufort) and Jennifer (née Lee), and by his grandchildren, Matthew, Taylor and Ryan Renaud; and granddaughter-in-law, Mallory (née Boiteau), as well as his great-granddaughter, Ruby

Mo was born on Christmas Day, 1929 in Winnipeg to Joseph Renaud, who had been born in Tadoussac, Quebec, and Violet (née George), originally from Inverness, Scotland. He had three brothers, Ted, Charles, and George. Mo attended St. James Collegiate, where he played lacrosse with the Border Athletic Club. He would later become a referee, and eventually the referee-in-chief while also acting as the lacrosse league's press officer for Lacrosse Manitoba.

After learning a trade as an engineering aide with the Manitoba Telephone System, Mo moved over to the Greater Winnipeg Gas Co., as General Sales Manager.

In the summer of 1954, the 24 year old Mo married the love of his life, Irene Catherine Rebiffe, a beautiful dental nurse from Kelvin High School who would go on to become the CEO of a company that she co-owned, Welcome Wagon of Canada.

Just as Mo had been one of four boys, he and Irene raised three sons Kerry, Randall, and Ritchie. And in the late 1960s, their backyard pool, (the city's first concrete in-ground swimming pool), was the setting for the annual swimsuit competition of the Miss Manitoba Pageant. And every year on the day of the event, the branches of the surrounding trees would be filled with a host of inquisitive neighbourhood kids.

For 18 years, beginning in 1975, Mo acted as the General Manager of the Red River Exhibition, helping to build it from a small country fair to a ten-day multi-million dollar enterprise. Mo also served as the Executive Director of Winnipeg's Centennial Celebrations in 1974, and in that role, helped to host their Royal Highnesses, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon on a four day official visit to Winnipeg.

But Mo Renaud is perhaps best remembered by fellow Winnipegers as the voice announcing the tackles and touchdowns at Winnipeg Stadium, beginning in 1962, and for 582 consecutive Blue Bomber games, including the frigid 1991 Grey Cup.

By the time he retired in 1997, Mo had earned a reputation as the Dean of Canadian Public Address announcers. And his flair for drama made him popular even with the players and management alike. When popular Bomber linebacker K.D. Williams got traded to the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders, Williams complained that the P.A. Announcer in Regina didn't say his name as dynamically as Mo: "I like my name said a certain way. The guy in Winnipeg made it sound good. Kaaaay Deeeee WILLIAMS."

However, Mo's connection to football and local sports went even deeper. He acted as the President of the St. Vital Bulldogs Senior Football organization in the late 1960s; and the President of the St. Boniface Football Association in the 1970s. And for his contribution to sport, he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, as well as the Football Manitoba Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Lacrosse Hall of Fame, both in 2018.

After retiring from both the Ex and the press box, Mo and his beloved wife Irene travelled the world, to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, Aruba, California, Bali, Rio De Janiero, and even Hong Kong, as well as wintering in Marco Island for 37 years. And in 2011, they ventured north to the town of Tadoussac, Quebec, to discover where his father had been born.

After 61 years of marriage, Irene very sadly passed away in 2015. And now Mo joins his dearly missed wife in eternal embrace.

Mo will forever be remembered for his sartorial elegance, good looks, quick wit, warm, winning smile, and his relaxed charm. He was known by thousands, counted on as a friend by many, and deeply loved by his entire extended family.

No formal service is planned, in accordance with his wishes. The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff and doctors at the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care ward as well as Mo's long-time physician and friend, Dr. Joseph Partyka.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2024, Nov 16, 2024