MATTHEW ERNEST LUCIEN

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MATTHEW ERNEST LUCIEN LeCLAIRE (ERNIE) On Monday, May 24, 2004, the date of his anniversary to his beloved wife of 52 years, Anne (nee Ferens), and with his family by his side, Ernie passed away after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Ernie was predeceased by his infant son, Maxime; father, Maxime; mother, Adele (Nadon) brothers, Edelard, Rene, Theodore, Thomas, and Honore; and sisters, Alice Mitchell and Bernadette Forzley. Ernie will be sadly missed by his wife Anne; five children, Denise (Blair), Barry (Debbie), Dale (Jackie), Janet (Lou), and Chris (Heather) sister Theresa Schell; and numerous nieces and nephews of the LeClaire and Ferens families. Ernie was born on July 22, 1927 in St. Boniface, MB. As a young boy, he attended St. Ignatius School where he revelled at playing sports, a passion he passed on to his children. On May 24, 1952, he married his life partner, Anne Ferens, and began his career at the CPR, followed by twenty-two years with CNs Symington Yards until his retirement in 1991. In his retirement, Ernie enjoyed telling jokes and teasing his grandchildren who loved him dearly: Wendy (Lyle), Brandi, Sara, Malcolm, Julian, Ryan, Jocelyn, Alexandra, Jaelle, and Justin. Ernie enjoyed life and passed on this joie de vivre to his family. Even in his struggle with cancer, he maintained an upbeat, positive attitude. He was very proud of his French Canadian heritage and employment at Symington Yards. We will miss his stories, jokes, cooking, singing songs of Nat King Cole and Englebert Humperdinck and his occasional crooning of an Elvis tune. The family would like to sincerely thank all the medical staff who attended Ernie during his illness, especially Stella at the Health Sciences Centre. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 28, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. in Green Acres Funeral Chapel, Hwy. #1 E. at Navin Road, with Rev. Fr. Henryk Laciak officiating. Viewing will take place one half hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7. As I sail away Dont weep for me Just wish me a pleasant journey And wave goodbye; Loved ones are waiting With out-stretched arms On the other side. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematorium Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 27, 2004