Joseph Aurelien MALLET

JOSEPH AURELIEN MALLET
1943 – 2013
Joe passed away at the Grace Hospital on March 15th, 2013, after a difficult but brave fight with gastric cancer. He was born on August 29, 1943 in the Gaspésie, and was raised in St- Simon, New Brunswick by the late Aurèle and Irma Mallet. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Lois (Patterson), his daughters Nicole James (Ed) and Melanie Mallet (Jamie), and his beloved grand- daughters, Olivia and Wynne James. Joe also leaves to mourn his large family, in Acadie and Manitoba: sisters Odette (Denis Hébert), Georgianne (Omer Haché), Nicole (Adélard Clement), Ginette (Honoré Comeau), Réjeanne (Ronald Michon), Rita (Réné Gaudet), and Johanne; brothers Ola, Gaetan, and Augustin (Sylvie); mother-in-law Esther Patterson; brother-in-law Garry (Cathy); and sisters-in-law Dianne, Dayle, Sheila (John Ferguson), Gwen (Denis Sutton), and Adrienne Mallet. Joe is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother Gillo, brother-in-law David, and father-in-law Robbie. Joe was a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 26 years, and retained tight ties with the military community after his retirement from service, including with lifelong friend and fellow soldier, Roger Gallien, whom he knew from boyhood. Joe volunteered at the Military Family Resource Centre for many years, and he and Lois were awarded the Manitoba Council on Aging's Recognition Award in 2012 for their extensive volunteer services to the community. After retiring from the military, Joe worked on the DEW line in Nunavut for many years, meeting good mates and cribbage partners during his time on the 'line'. Joe tried retirement a second time in 2002, but, not being one to sit idle, again succumbed to the temptation of work and spent almost ten years as a commissionaire at Winnipeg City Hall and is remembered fondly by his friends there. Joe was affable and loyal, building and keeping a community of cherished friends during his life. His family is grateful to all friends and colleagues for their endless kindnesses and support during Joe's illness and would also like to thank Dr. Patricia Harris, Dr. Brent Zabalotny, and the compassionate nurses and staff on wards 3 South and 4 South of the Grace. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 20th at 2 p.m. at the Neil Bardal Funeral Home in Winnipeg. Flowers are gratefully declined, but anyone wishing to do so could make a donation in Joe's honour to the Military Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg or to Cancer Care Manitoba. We will remember Joe always and hold his love and kindness in our hearts.