RENE PAPINEAU (CHIEF)

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RENE PAPINEAU (CHIEF) February 13, 1923 - December 27, 2004 Peacefully, with his wife and family by his side, Rene Papineau passed away on December 27, 2004 at the Grace Hospital. He leaves to mourn his wife Annette; and his children, Eddy (Karen), Rachelle (Georges Laurin), Ronald (Alice), Linda (Grant Cyr); grandchildren, Pamela, Kirby, Joy, Marc, Ginette, Amanda, Samantha, Conley and Colton; as well as numerous other family members and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Phidime and Emeline; brothers, Adrien and Robert; and sisters, Alice and Marguerite. Rene grew up on a farm and went to school in St. Georges. He went on to attend St. Boniface College. In 1943, Rene joined the army, Lake Superior Regiment, and took part in D-Day in Germany, France and Belgium. Rene married Annette Coulombe in June 1947 and were married for 57 and a half years. Rene was Town Councillor from 1961-65 when the town water was installed, and was Mayor of the Village of Powerview from 1966-68 when the town sewer was installed. He started Papineau Motors in November 1959, which also had a Ford dealership, Ski-Doo and Massey-Ferguson, until his retirement in 1988 when he sold his business to his two sons. Rene was a papermaker for the Pine Falls mill from 1947 - 1957. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 64 and the Knights of Columbus. In 1970, Rene and 26 other snowmobilers made their way to Norway House on a good-will tour to promote Manitoba's Centennial. In 1972, he took his pilot's licence in Lac Du Bonnet and owned his own bush plane. He owned and harvested his own wild rice lake for a few years. In 1973, Rene started a campaign to build an arena in Powerview. He was also the one who started the Winnipeg River Manor in Powerview in 1993, a 55 plus building, where Rene and his wife resided for the past nine years. He built a cabin at Happy Lake in 1977 where he and his family and friends spent a fair amount of time fishing and relaxing. Rene was a kind, gentle person, loved by all. He loved his four children and nine grandchildren very much. He was always willing to help others in any way, especially with the many organizations in the community. He will be missed for his guidance and political views. The family would like to thank the nursing staff on the 4th floor and the ICU staff and doctors of the Grace General Hospital for their care and compassion during his stay. Cremation has taken place. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 31 at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Georges Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Rejean Belanger the Celebrant. A prayer service will be held at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so desire, donations in his memory may be made to St. Georges Parish (cemetery), Box 31, St. Georges, MB R0E 1V0. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 30, 2004