OVILA PAUL SABOURIN

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OVILA PAUL SABOURIN Ovila est ne en 1912. Il a passe son enfance a Saint-Jean Baptiste. Ovila fit ses etudes a lecole des garcons du village, travailla a la ferme paternelle, soccupant aussi de lentreprise laitiere jusquen 1937. De la, il developpa un considerable commerce de garagiste, etant aussi agent dautos, dhuile, de petrol, et de machines agricoles pendant plus de 30 ans, lorsquil se retira de la vie publique en 1970 pour cause de sante. Ovila ayant a coeur le developpement communautaire, simpliqua dans plusieurs organisations pariossiales: il fut presidente de lACJC, mouvement de la jeuness canadienne catholique; fut un des fondateurs et en effet premier gerant de la Caisse populaire. Ce dernier mouvement eut ses debuts dans la residence meme dOvila et Jeanne, cest aussi la dailleurs, que se tinrent les reunions initiatives du Centre dachat de la cooperative, et de la cooperative meme, Ovila en etant le premier secretaire-tresorier, toujours seconde du precieux support de son epouse Jeanne, qui a ces temps etait preoccupee a elever la petite famille. Ovila fut aussi conseiller de la Municipalite, syndic de la paroisse, commissaire decole, et president de lassociation Parents et Maitres. Ovila fut membre du premier bureau de direction de la Federation Manitobaine des Caisses populaires. Il est chevalier de Colomb depuis 55 ans. Il a conserve un vif interet dans la communaute, ses sages conseils etant toujours apprecies. Sa conjointe Jeanne, ses enfants et ses connaissances se souviendront de sa joie de vivre et son amour de voyager, de sa grande foi et de sa generosite. Papa savait surmonter les difficultes et faisait preuve de discretion et de diplomatie. Ovila, tu as ete pour nous le message de lamour de Dieu pour ses enfants. La famille aimerait quun don soit fait en sa memoire a la Fondation du coeur du Manitoba, 301 - 351 rue Donald, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8. La direction des funerailles a ete confiee au Salon Mortuaire de Morris, Morris (Manitoba) (746-2451). With courage and dignity, Ovila Paul Sabourin passed away Sunday, May 7 at the Morris General Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Ildege and Exilda and three brothers, Armand, George and Cyrille. Ovila will be sadly missed by his wife Marie-Jeanne (Comeault) of 62 years; by his children, Lorraine Sabourin-Muller of Gimli, Bernard (Claudette) of Winnipeg, Claudette of Montreal, Rene (Laurie) of Winnipeg, and Gerald of St. Jean Baptiste; his eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Louis (Annette), Andre (Rolande), Denis (Denise), Leon (Aline) and his sisters, (Sister Helene), Lucille (Alphonse), Rose-Alma (Lionel), Denise (Robert), Leona (Celistin) and numerous nieces and nephews. Ovila was born on September 21, 1912 in St. Jean-Baptiste. Ovila met his lovely wife Jeanne and married in December, 1937. He served the community well, being involved in numerous organizations. Some of his involvements were: the first Caisse Populaire manager of St. Jean, Knights of Columbus, Co-operative movement, all with the support from his wife Jeanne. As a local businessman in St. Jean Baptiste, he was respected for his honesty, integrity and with a witty sense of humour. He was a man of "nature" - loved to spend time at his cottage, to attend to his garden, to work in the fields at harvest time, and to keep abreast of daily current news. Our dad was a wonderful man who loved and lived life to the fullest. He was a cross-cultural man and passionate about travelling. His unquestionable spirit resulted over and above all of his other endeavours, wrote his memoirs in a book entitled "Cetait comme ca" (a legacy to his family and to all who knew him). Prayers at 1:30 pm. will be followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. held on Thursday, May 11 at the St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in St. Jean Baptiste, Man. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Manness and the staff of the Morris General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Ovilas memory to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301 - 352 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8. Morris Funeral Home, Morris, Manitoba, in care of arrangements. 1-204-746-2451.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 09, 2000