ARMAND JOSEPH EDWARD PARISIEN

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ARMAND JOSEPH EDWARD PARISIEN Peacefully on May 21, 2004 at St. Boniface Hospital, surrounded by his family, Armand Joseph Edward Parisien, aged 68 years, dearly beloved husband of 41 years, Maureen Ann Parisien (nee Gordon). Armand Sr. was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Maureen, his five children and their spouses and nine grandchildren, Brenda (Darren) May, Brittany, Tyler and Courtney of Winnipeg; Armand Jr. (Dena) Parisien, Kirsten, Madison, Halie and Sydney of Calgary; Michelle (Brian) Barker, Eric and Scott of Rennie; Michael Parisien and Debra Parisien. Armand Sr. was born on April 16, 1936 at the old St. Boniface Hospital to Alma and Joseph Parisien. Armand Sr. was raised in St. Germain, MB and attended Mount Batten School up until grade eight at which time he left school to work side by side with his father. At age 20 he went to work at Prairie Maid Cereal. After working there for five years, a new girl at work caught his eye and before you knew it love was in the air. After a brief courtship, Armand and Maureen were married on January 5, 1963. Armand and Maureen bought a house and raised their family in Fort Rouge. Armand and Maureen worked side by side up until Armand retired in 1996. He worked at Prairie Maid for 40 years. He was predeceased by his father Joseph William Parisien; mother Alma Marie Parisien (nee Normand) sisters, Olive Tencha and Leona Batenchuk; brother Theo Parisien. Armand Sr. is survived by sisters, Lorraine Marcoux and Gloria Smith; brothers, Hector, Dave (Karen) and Andy (Bea) his mother-in-law Mary Gordon; sisters-in-law, Pamela Keating, Georgina Gordon; brothers-in-law, Donny Gordon and George (Darlene) Gordon. Armands heart and soul were his wife and five children, this later extended to his daughter-in-law, his two sons-in-law and his nine grandchildren. He loved his family. Family meant a great deal to Armand, he spent his time loving, encouraging, nurturing and of course teasing, LOTS of teasing. Armand never hesitated to try new things, he was always game for something new, and in a house with five kids life was never dull. With Armand leaving school at such an early age to help out and work at home, he worked hard all of his life to provide and give his family opportunities he never had. School was priority number one, he never let up where this was concerned. He gave and loved unconditionally, he supported, guided and disciplined and he never once lost our respect along the way. He was able to give freely, he would let his children venture out and try new things, we know he worried, but one of his greatest lessons to us in life was to let us fall every once in awhile, and pick up the pieces "everyone makes mistakes, but you will learn from them, there is a lesson in everything." Armand always listened to his children, he didnt necessarily always agree with them, but he always listened. He believed in his children, and always let them tell their side of things. He has taught and instilled these values in us. During the summer months Armand would retreat to the family cottage at Winnipeg Beach. He enjoyed spending time at the lake with his family. ALL of his family, the more the merrier, with all of us out there at once it was quite a house full. If Armand had things his way he would have one great big house and everyone living under the same roof. Armand got his first taste of flying after he retired, actually this was Maureens first flight as well. They flew to Thunder Bay to visit their son whom has since moved on to Calgary, and they became frequent fliers. Armand made this trip twice a year to visit his son and family. Armand also loved a road trip, he loved to drive, and loved driving to Rennie to visit his daughter and her family. Armand wore lots of different hats throughout his life. He was many things to many different people. Armand was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, coach, volunteer and friend to many. Having two sons active in sports out of Earl Grey Community Centre, Armand started spending a lot of time coaching. He coached hockey, soccer and ringette to name a few. During his coaching years, he coached his children and other kids from the community. He always wanted kids in the community to have the same opportunities his kids had. He always made time for others. Armand was also a bingo caller once a month at Earl Grey Community Centre, he loved getting together with his friends, and he loved getting everyone going on a Saturday Night, whether it was cracking a joke while calling, or calling too fast or too slow. If there was a way for him to get a rise out of you, hed do it. Armand was an active member of the Earl Grey Board of Directors for many years, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year from the City of Winnipeg in 1989. Dad, WE LOVE YOU, as you have loved us.....WE WILL MISS YOU and everything about you.....Your smile, your chuckle, your comments, your advice, your jokes, your singing, your teasing and your stories.....but most of all, just being with you. Pallbearers are Armands sons, Armand Jr. and Michael; his sons-in-law, Darren May and Brian Barker and his two nephews, Kevin Smith and Jeremy Delisle. We would like to thank the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for making Armands stay in the hospital so comfortable. A special thanks to the staff for giving us the time along with Armand which we so much needed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. A celebration of Armands life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. A reception will follow. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 1969