MAURICE A. GAUTHIER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MAURICE A. GAUTHIER Paisiblement, chez lui, et en compagnie de son epouse Therese, Maurice nous a quittes le 12 novembre dernier. Il avait 77 ans. Il etait un homme de conviction profonde, de respect de soi, de respect des autres, de droiture, de justice et dequite; il etait aussi un homme daction et dengagement a legard de son epouse, ses enfants, sa famille, ses amis ainsi que sa communaute... il les a tous aimes et defendu jusqua la derniere heure. Maurice, tu nous manquera beaucoup. Maurice est ne le 12 octobre 1924 a LaBroquerie. Au cours de sa carriere professionnel il a oeuvre dans le mouvement cooperatif en tant que gerant de cooperative locale, representant regional de Federated Cooperatives Ltd, et Sous-ministre du ministere provincial du developpement cooperatif. Il consacra la deuxieme partie de sa carriere a la direction de La Liberte et du Commissariat aux Langues Officielles-region ouest. On le sait tous, Maurice etait un ardent promoteur de la communaute franco-manitobaine. Il avait une affection particuliere pour tous les francophones du Canada, et plus specialement pour ses cousins du Quebec ou il comptait plusieurs bons amis. Ses temps libres, il les investissait pour defendre et developper sa communaute. Il a ete le premier president de la Societe Franco-Manitobaine, fonda lAssociation des Municipalites Bilingues du Manitoba, dirigea plusieurs etudes sur les services bilingues, publia lhistoire des Caisses Populaires du Manitoba, et participa a plusieurs organismes franco-manitobaines. Un de ses derniers projets fut dailleurs la construction dun ascenseur a la Cathedrale Saint-Boniface. Maurice ne nous laisse pas les mains vides: il nous a transmis limportance detre fier de qui nous sommes, et surtout de ne pas hesiter den temoigner. Les valeurs familiales etaient pour lui sans compromis. Lentraide, lamour et le respect envers les parents, le respect entre freres et soeurs, etaient pour lui un devoir non negociable. Enfin Maurice disait toujours que sans lappuie et lamour indefectible et inconditionnel de Therese il naurait jamais pu realiser ses reves. Maurice laisse dans le deuil son epouse Therese Gauthier (nee Granger) ses six enfants et leurs epoux (ses) Hubert et Monique, Denise et Jean-Louis, Raymond, Claude et Ghislaine, Estelle et Raymond, Marielle et Rejean; ses 14 petits enfants et ses deux arrieres petits enfants; ses freres et soeurs et leur epoux(ses) Leonie et Louis, Hermance et Jean, Romeo et Jean, Jeannette et Alfred, Eliane et Denis, Anita et Roger, Aime et Lucie, Roland et Monique, Adelard et enfin sa mere de 98 ans Irma. La depouille mortelle sera exposee samedi le 17 novembre a 13h en la Cathedrale de Saint Boniface et les funerailles preside par Mgr. Albert Frechette suivront a 14h. Au lieu de fleurs, les parents et amis peuvent sils le desirent faire un don a une des fondation suivante: la Fondation de Recherche et de lHopital General de Saint Boniface, Francofonds Inc, Fondation du College Universitaire de Saint Boniface (Fonds Maurice Gauthier et Therese Granger Gauthier). La direction des funerailles a ete confiee au Salon Mortuaire Desjardins, 233-4949; sans frais 1-888-233-4949. MAURICE ALFRED GAUTHIER Peacefully, Maurice passed away in the company of his beloved wife Therese on November 12, 2001. He was 77 years of age. Maurice was a man of strong convictions who believed in self-respect, respect of others, compassion, justice and equity. He was also a man of action and committed to his wife, his children, his family, his friends and his community... he loved and defended them right to the very end. He will be greatly missed by us all. Maurice was born on October 12, 1924 in La Broquerie, MB. For the better part of his professional career, Maurice was involved with the co-operative movement in Manitoba and across Canada. His contribution included local co-op management, regional representation with Federated Co-operative LTD., and ultimately served as Deputy Minister for the Department of Co-operative Development in the Manitoba Government. In the latter part of his career, he held the position of executive director of La Liberte as well as being the first Official Language Commissioners representative for the western region. As most know, Maurice loved his community, the franco-manitobaine community, and worked with pride and enthusiasm at its promotion and development. He had a special place in his heart for all francophones in Canada and more specifically for his Quebecois colleagues and relatives, many of who were good friends. In his free time, he worked relentlessly to defend and promote his community. The Francomanitobaine community he so cherished was part of his being, and an important part of his life. Maurice was the first president of La Societe Franco-Manitobaine; he established the Association des Municipalites Bilingues du Manitoba, supervised and conducted many studies on bilingual services, published a book on the history of les Caisses Populaires du Manitoba and participated actively in many other francomanitobaine organisations. One of his last projects was the fund-raising and overseeing of the construction of an elevator at La Cathedrale de Saint Boniface, his home parish and church. Maurice has not left us empty handed... in fact he has left us with a special legacy by bestowing upon us the importance in being proud of our heritage, proud of who we are and more importantly being living examples of this pride in our day-to-day activities. Love and respect for his family, as well as family values were a priority and never to be jeopardised. Mutual support, love and respect for each other, for our parents, for our brothers and sisters were for Maurice a non-negotiable duty and obligation. Finally, Maurice would always say that without the unconditional love and support of his wife Therese, he would never have been able to fulfil his dreams. Left in mourning are his wife Therese (nee Granger) six children, Hubert and Monique, Denise and Jean-Louis, Raymond, Claude and Ghislaine, Estelle and Raymond, Marielle and Rejean; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. His brothers and sisters, Leonie and Louis, Hermance and Jean, Romeo and Jean, Jeannette and Alfred, Eliane and Denis, Anita and Roger, Aime and Lucie, Roland and Monique, Adelard and his mother Irma - 98 years of age. The viewing will be held Saturday, November 17 at la Cathedrale de Saint Boniface at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., and will be presided by Msgr. Albert Frechette. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations could be made, if people so wish, to the following foundations: The St. Boniface Research and Hospital Foundation, Francofonds Inc., Le Fonds de famille Maurice et Therese Gauthier-College Universitaire de Saint Boniface. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2001