ROGER GOETHALS

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ROGER GOETHALS It is with great sadness the Goethals family wishes to announce the death of Roger, beloved husband, Dad and Grandpa, on October 17, 2002, at the age of 67 years. Roger passed away at the Deloraine Health Centre after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Roger was born March 10, 1935, to Arthur Goethals and Madeline Andries. Following the death of his Mother in 1939 he lived with his Grandpa Charlie and uncles and aunts in the Turtle Mountain area. At the age of 11 he moved to the Grove District with his Dad. In 1947 his Dad married Julia Sunaert and they farmed in the Waskada area until 1948 when they moved to the Hazeldean district. He attended school at Flossie Verona and Hazeldean. During his younger years he worked for Bolduc Construction, in the oil fields and for Northland Coal in Winnipeg where he drove a truck. On June 14, 1960 he married Doreen Beaudry and they moved to 33-2-22 where he resided until his death. During these years he farmed with his step-brother Andrew Sunaert and later his sons, Dale and Blair and nephew Danny joined the operation, which became known as Sunaert Goethals farms. Roger served on the Council of the R.M. of Winchester for 13 years, the last four years as Reeve. During his time on Council he made many friends and always took time for a chat. He was a great public servant and always put the welfare of the community first. He was an Honorary Life member of the Manitoba Curling Association and spent many years as zone chairman, first of the Mens and then the Masters. He served many years as Drawmaster for the Deloraine Curling Club and was also a Past President. Roger was also a member of the BPO Elks and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was a great community supporter and was always ready to give a helping hand whether it be taking tickets at the race track, cooking burgers at the rink or picking up bids at an auction. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, making countless friends along the way. His ready smile and mischievous chuckle will be remembered by all. Farming was Rogers life and his family was his pride and joy, especially his eight grandchildren. He like nothing better than having them ride with him in the combine at harvest time. He was a great teacher and accepted willingly any challenge that was set before him. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer he was a pillar of strength for the whole family. He was predeceased by his mother in 1939; his father in 1975; and his stepmother in 1980. He was also predeceased by his stepbrother, Roger Sunaert and stepsister, Georgette Hemeryck and her husband Toni. Left to mourn his death is his wife, Doreen, of 42 years; son Dale and wife Pam; daughter Brenda and husband Kevin King; son Blair and wife Bev; his eight grandchildren, Tanner and Nicole Goethals, Tara, Trent and Michael King and Lesley, Wade and Jessica Goethals. Also left are his step-brother Andrew, wife Annette and their family, sister-in-law Alleen Sunaert and her family; sisters and brothers-in-law, Irene and Julian Breemersch, Aldea and Fred Gervais, Paulette and George Breemersch, Paul and Margie Beaudry; uncles, aunts, cousins and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves to mourn his loss the rest of the Goethals family in Belgium, especially Luc and Dolores and their family. He was so proud to have had them visit Canada for the first time in July 2001 as they were the first of the Goethals family to visit Canada since his father arrived in 1927. During that meeting a bond was formed that will never be lost. Roger has made a great impact on our community and beyond and will be sadly missed. Funeral mass and a celebration of his life was held on October 21 at St. Antoninus Church in Deloraine with Father John Brophy officiating, assisted by Father Barry Schoonbaert and Deacon Murray Teetaert. Funeral arrangements were capably provided by Smith Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2002