JOHN BAPTISTE BERCIER

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JOHN BAPTISTE BERCIER John Baptiste Bercier was born Saturday, January 2, 1909 at St. Lazare, MB. He attended school in St. Lazare and St. Madeline. Baptiste lived near Binscarth where he did some farming and worked "breaking" new land in that area and around Camperville. He lived for 12 years in Camperville where he operated a steam engine, that was required to make fish boxes. At times there were 40 men on two shifts who worked to make the fish boxes at Camperville. He enjoyed farming and was also a fish buyer in Camperville. Baptiste made $0.21 cents an hour while working in Camperville for Pelletier Sawmills. He moved from Camperville to The Pas and area in 1951 working also in Cedar Lake and Moose Lake as a game warden and conservation officer for the Province of Manitoba for 28 years, retiring at the age of 65 years, in 1974. He continued to live in The Pas. Baptistes favourite job was being a conservation officer as he was out in the country where he could enjoy nature, camping in a tent, along lakes and rivers, also camping outside as well. During the depression years when jobs were scarce and money was limited, Baptiste worked long hours for $0.50 a day. Baptiste was one of the first residents of Northern View Lodge. Baptiste was a good friend of the late Archbishop Paul Dumouchel, whom he met at Camperville as a young priest and spending many hours with him speaking and telling stories in Saulteaux. Baptiste was a kind and gentle man who had a great love for his family. This was also evident in his faith, which was very strong. He passed away Friday, August 24, 2001 at St. Pauls Personal Care Home, The Pas, age 92 years. Baptiste is survived by his children, Albert, Olive, Margaret, Ted, Doreen, Ernest, Melvin, Jeanette, Dennis, Tom, Patsy; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Della (Jimmy) Tanner, Binscarth, MB: as well as several nieces, nephews and other close relatives. He was predeceased by his wife Mary (1963) parents, Joseph and Elizabeth; two step sisters and two step brothers. Prayers and Visitation were held Sunday, August 26, 7:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Hemauer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, August 27, 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, with Archbishop Peter Sutton, O.M.I. presiding, assisted by Rev. Edmond Pardis, O.M.I. Music Ministry was Sister Betty Lackenbauer, and organist, Rita Hayward. The eulogy was given by Baptistes son, Ted Bercier. Scripture readings were by Jimmy Tanner and Alberta Hemauer with prayers of intercession by James Hemauer. Active pallbearers were Gene Bercier, Thomas Bercier, Melvin Bercier Jr., Vincent Bercier, Ernie Bercier, Dwayne Bercier, Dwight Bercier, Shane Ducharme, Eugene Bercier, and Ted Bercier Jr. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, were in care of arrangements. 623-3261.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2001