JOSEPH ERNEST ANTOINE (TONY) GUERTIN SR. -

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JOSEPH ERNEST ANTOINE (TONY) GUERTIN SR. 1924 - 2003 Tony Guertin passed away peacefully Saturday, June 14, 2003 at the St. Boniface General Hospital with his loving family at his bedside. He was born in Winnipeg, on October 2, 1924, the youngest child of Josephine (DEschambault) and Philippe Guertin. Immediately upon graduation, from St.Pauls High School, Tony enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942. He served as a Radio Operator on frigates patrolling the North Atlantic, until the wars end. When he returned home to Winnipeg, he married his lifelong best friend and childhood sweetheart Marie-Louise Cote at Sacre Coeur Church on June 1, 1946. Their family grew to include five children, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Tony was passionate about all his children and provided unwavering support and encouragement. He loved to stand on the sidelines, cheering on his children at their many sporting events and school activities. In January of 1947, Tony and his brother Norbert (Norb) started their business, Guertin Brothers Paints Ltd. in a two-car garage in St. Boniface. Under their stewardship, the company prospered into an international manufacturer of industrial coatings and sealants, now known as Guertin Bros. Coatings and Sealants Ltd. He was devoted to his business and believed deeply about ethics and the importance of honesty and integrity towards a customer. Even though he retired in June 1987, he never lost interest in the company and provided encouragement until his death. He was predeceased by his wife Marie-Louise with whom he shared 55 years of marriage, his grandson Demion Orzechowski and his sister Louise McPherson. He is survived by his children, Simone Orzechowski (Jim), Tony Jr. (Marjorie), Philippe (Lori), Charles (Deborah), and Michelle Hekle (Wayne). His grandchildren, Kristina Braun (Orzechowski), Lasha Orzechowski, Jea, Jean Paul, Jamie, Jacqueline, Leanne, Sean, Cole, Charles, Christopher, Jana Hekle, Nicole Hekle, and Colin Hekle. His great-grandchildren, Kay-Lynn, Kimberley, and Alexander; his brothers, Norbert and George; and his sisters, Antoinette and Therese Ball. The family would like to give special thanks to Doreen Armstrong for the loving care she gave our father during the last year and a half of his life. We would also like to thank Dr. Wayne Van Horne and Dr. Asad Junaid for their professionalism and the compassion they showed our father and the entire family. Our gratitude is also extended to the wonderful staff on 5A Medicine. In accordance with our fathers wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, June 23 at 12:00 p.m. in St. Ignatius Church, SW Corydon and Stafford, with Fr. Johnson, S.J. presiding. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in our fathers memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. His humanity will be sorrowfully missed. His spirit and love will remain in our hearts and lives, forever. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematorium Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2003