Obituary of Maurice Joseph Durette

DURETTE - Maurice Durette passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday March 7th, 2011 at Canwood Whispering Pine Place. Maurice is survived, remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife of 61 years, Bernadette of Debden, his children; Jocelyne Howland of Christopher Lake (her children Ray, Brian & Annette), Paul of Spiritwood (his children Melanie, Steven, Kendall & Tyler), Carole (Don) Paquette of Victoire (their children Dinah, Nicole, Darcy, David & Erik), Luc (Lynn) of Saskatoon (their children Micheal & Chantal), Denis (Mefil) of Medicine Hat (their children Andrew, Mandy & Matthew), Real of Prince Albert, Colette of Debden (her son Justin), Rejean of Camp Verde, AZ (his son Kyrie), his grandchildren's spouses and numerous great grandchildren, his brother Leonide (Evelyne) Durette of Saskatoon, his brother in law Marcel Beaulac, his brothers in law and sisters in law of the Savard family. He was predeceased by his parents Eugene & Eveline Durette, his brother and sister in law Marcel and Louisa Durette, his sister Therese Beaulac, his sister and brother in law Mariette and Peter Radesh, his brother in law Raymond Desjardins. Maurice was born in Victoire on September 6, 1923. He was raised on the farm with his two brothers, two sisters. He attended school in Ormeaux and College St Jean in Edmonton. He married Bernadette Savard in New Westminster , B.C. on April 15, 1950. They started farming two miles north of Debden where they raised their family and made their home for 37 years. He worked hard with his wife, brothers, brothers in law, neighbours, children and hired help to make a living on the farm and helped them with their farm work as well. The family farm was where he instilled the value of work in all his children. There were cows to milk, pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, dogs, cats, horses, cattle to feed, eggs to pick, a garden to look after, barns, pig pens, chicken coops to clean, rocks and roots to pick, fields to cultivate, hay to cut and put up and crop to sow and harvest. Maurice found time for family. Sunday was a day of rest and that is when he would gather the family for Sunday mass and then a family outing. This could be visiting grandparents, relatives, picnics, berry picking, going to the lake or skating on the family pond. His faith in God and his church was very important to him. He was very proud of his French Canadian heritage. He enjoyed square dancing, curling, music, singing in the church choir, fishing, cards, ball, skating and hockey. Over the years he volunteered his time for the Knights of Columbus, the Golden Age Center, the church, enjoyed raising money for the Debden skateatons, was involved with the A.C.F.C., looked after the camp in Victoire, participated in the church choir and many other community projects. He was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed taking around the farm. All the older grandchildren have fond memories of grandpa taking them amongst the cattle, on the tractors & combine, berry picking or just rides in the field. In 1987 after selling the family farm he retired to Debden. He continued to volunteer actively, help his children and grandchildren, take in his grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities and enjoyed gardening. He continued his farm interest by helping his brother in law farm. His failing health took him to Whispering Pine Place in Canwood for the last eight years of his life. He did his part with helping, gardening, participating at the home until his body would not let him anymore. He always enjoyed the music at the lodge and appreciated it even more when his grandchildren or great grandchildren were involved. Prayer service was led by Robert & Sandra Fontaine in St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church on Thursday March 10, 2011. The funeral mass of Christian burial was Friday March 11, 2011 and interment at the Debden cemetery with Father Bernabe Millan Sajonas officiating. The soloist was Gilles Francoeur, music director Louise Marchildon, music by his grandchildren Erik Paquette, David Paquette, Nicole Bletsky and the Debden church choir. The pallbearers were grandsons Ray Howland, Steven Durette, Darcy Paquette, Justin Gray, Andrew Durette & Micheal Durette and the cross bearer was his great granddaughter Kaitlin Willoughby. Beau"Lac" Funeral Home of Spiritwood were entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Email condolences will be forwarded to the family. www.beaulacfuneralhome.com