BENARD (BEN) NORMANDIN

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BENARD (BEN) NORMANDIN 1912 - 2004 Ben Normandin died peacefully at Tache Centre on August 17, 2004, at the age of 92 years. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Delia, his youngest child Eileen (1997), all his brothers and his only sister. He will be sadly missed by his three remaining children, Evelyn (Ed), Leonard and Lauraine; 13 grandchildren, Ken, Ellen, Carl, Kelly, Amber, Billy, Cathy, David, Allison, Lana, Doree, Joanne, Michael; 28 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ben was the last of his generation, youngest of Joseph and Melina Normandins children. He was born at Benard Siding, MB in 1912 - the year the Titanic sank as he used to say. Ben married Delia in June 1934 in the St. Boniface Cathedral. He moved to Toronto in 1941 and worked for CN Railway until his retirement in 1976 at the age of 64. He celebrated 60 years of marriage in 1994, just before his "vieille" passed away. Ben was a gentle, loving man who always had a kind word, a gentle smile, a song in his heart and a dance in his feet. He loved to play the harmonica and dance the jig while his brother Ernie played the fiddle. Family was the centre of his life - he was there for them always. He travelled 1500 miles every year to spend summers with two of his daughters and their families in Winnipeg until he was 76, when he moved here permanently. Special thanks to all the staff at Tache Centre for their care and attention during his stay. We know they will miss their gentle dancer. A celebration of Bens life to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 20 at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons St. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 21 at the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 252 Dubuc St., with Fr. Lucien Roy presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. We will miss you Dad, Pepere, but we know you are happy again back with your dancing partner, Memere. Avec amour, ta famille. "Jarrive, ma vieille." The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949: toll free 1-888-233-4949. Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.obitbulkloaduariestoday.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 20, 2004