Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Hello Everyone.
I'm not sure who is checking this tribute page anymore seeing as Lucien passed away almost a month ago. I didn't hear of Lucien's passing until recently. It was sad news for me and all of us from Tisdale who went to school with him back in the 1970's when we were kids.
I lost track of Lucien after he moved from Tisdale to Saskatoon around Grade 7 or 8 maybe. Until then, he was a good friend to me and to many. I went to Elementary and part of Junior High with him and always enjoyed his company. Looking at his photo brings a smile because he looks the same but with greyer hair. He kept that mischievous smile of his as well. You always knew he was thinking of something funny to say. We never called him Lou. It was always Lucien. (It sounded like he was a French aristocrat.)
When I found this obituary, I sent it to around 30 classmates who went to school with him in Tisdale. Even though most of us hadn't seen Lucien in over 40 years, he is remembered fondly by all of us as a happy go lucky guy who was always smiling and quick to laugh. At least 6 or 7 guys referred to him as their best friend at the time....including me.
Lucien was a pretty entertaining and generally joyful guy. When we were in Tom Thumb hockey (ages 7 & 8), he was the first kid who could raise the puck and it terrified everyone....especially the goaltenders who had no goal equipment and no face protection. We all said Lucien was a great "raiser". I don't think he had much of a curve on his stick either. He was really good with his stick and was a husky kid at a young age.
I remember Cline's general store in Tisdale that sold groceries and parts/hardware. My Dad and I stopped there a lot when I was a kid. Sometimes Lucien would be there working the till with that smirk of his. I recall him being quick with math and knew every make and year of vehicle at that time. He had a terrific memory for the things he was interested in.
When Lucien would come over to my house, my brothers and I would wrestle him to the ground and tickle him just to hear his big laugh. It was hilarious. He had the most unique laugh I have ever heard.
It was hard to keep track of Lucien back when there was no email or social media, especially when he moved a lot. After Tisdale he went to Saskatoon, relocated a few times there, and then left for Vancouver. The last I heard he was in Melfort and that was in the 1990's.
When Lucien was in Melfort he needed a bank loan for something. He drove to Tisdale to apply for the loan and met with my brother Dean who worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia at the time. Dean was in charge of loans had a bit of fun with him and told me about it afterward. Lucien did not recognize Dean at all as over 10 years had passed. Dean sat and listened to his pitch and at the end reminded Lucien that he used to rough-up Dean as a kid. Lucien's eyes opened wide, his chin dropped and he said, "Oh No! What have I done?" They had a good laugh about it and Dean approved the loan.
I want to extend my condolences and those of my Tisdale classmates to Roxie and all those who called him Friend. Lucien faced some very challenging times in his life, but he did very well with what he was given, always keeping his sense of humour and love for people. There is lots of room in heaven for people like him!
Well done Lucien! May you rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon you. I hope there is fishing in heaven!
