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ROGER DRUWE
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his spouse Irene (Berard); his children, Marcel Druwé (Essy) and Suzanne Druwé (Brian); his stepsons, Jeff Fennell (Jennifer) and Dean Fennell (Lindsay), Shirley Berard; grandchildren, Alex, Dominique, Emma, Forrest and Lincoln; his brothers, Georges, Denis and Louis who he loved and admired so much, and his many nephews and nieces.
Dad lived a full, passionate life. He was born a natural cowboy. His lifelong love of horses, ranching and all things country began at a very young age. His earliest scrapbooks were filled with drawings and magazine clippings of horses. Dad loved playing guitar and took up banjo and fiddle to play along to his favourite country tunes. Orange Blossom Special ranked high as did Glen Campbell playing Dueling Banjos.
He was a goalie well into his 50s and stayed in shape working with the animals, horseback riding, pitching hay and handling his team of Belgian draft horses, a fitting name considering Dad’s proud Belgian heritage. A highlight for Dad was watching his team at the Calgary Stampede.
The death of his father when Dad was only ten, left an indelible mark. The family had to move into the Chaput family home on rue St. Jean-Baptiste in St. Boniface. He lived there with his three younger brothers and their mother Alice (née Chaput) who ran a tight ship with a big, loving heart. Her boys adored her. Dad was blessed to be surrounded by aunts and uncles who looked out for them, in particular, uncle Joe and uncle Luce who took him under their wings. They took him hunting and gave him his first job working in their grocery store on rue Hamel. No special favours, though. He had to pull his weight.
Upon graduating from École Provencher, Dad boldly moved to Montréal and then to Moncton to work in the offices of the Canadian National Railway (CNR). During his time out east, he met his first wife Lise Hamelin, and his children Marcel and Suzanne were born. Dad enjoyed working with the CNR, but eventually decided to go back to school. In 1966, he hopped into the old VW Beetle with his young family and left Moncton for the long journey back to Winnipeg where he entered the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Dad began his teaching career in 1969 at Louis-Riel Collegiate alongside his brother Georges. He quickly moved into school administration and was principal to generations of kids who walked the halls of Marion School, École Lacerte, Collège Louis-Riel (CLR) and École Saint-Adolphe.
After retirement, Dad and Irene devoted themselves to Druwe Quarter Horses, their small family business focused on breeding and selling Quarter Horses. Caring for their animals was a labour of love. The farm was his happy place, a piece of heaven on earth that he shared with Irene, the love of his life, for almost 37 years.
This past year, Dad spent a lot of time in the hospital but, with much determination, always found his way back home for one more chance to contemplate the farm and the life he and Irene built together.
In lieu of a formal service, we ask family and friends to remember Dad and celebrate his life in their own way.
Au lieu d’un service funéraire officiel, nous demandons à la famille et aux amis de se souvenir de notre père et de célébrer sa vie à leur manière.
Merci à tout le personnel de l’unité 5ACCU de l’hôpital Saint-Boniface ainsi qu’à celui du service de cardiologie du 6e étage qui ont apporté confort et dignité à notre père dans ses dernières heures.
A photo biography honouring Roger's life is accessible through the 'tributes' link below.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2025