Philippe Fafard

FAFARD It is with deep sadness and heart ache that we announce the death of Philippe Fafard, husband, dad, pepere, great-grandpepere, brother, uncle, friend and employer at the tender age of sixty-nine. Phil passed away on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at his home in St.Lazare, Manitoba surrounded by the family that he loved and who love him. Dad, Pepere succumbed to cancer after having fought courageously against a disease he knew he could not overcome. He fought the fight for almost six months and he refused to go quietly into the dark night. He was a fighter from the first day of diagnosis to the very end, he worked as hard as he could to maintain his dignity and to nurture his relationships. He never once asked for a miracle, he simply prayed for the strength and the courage to deal with what he was facing as well as some quality time to enjoy his family and friends. Phil was born in Ste.Marthe, Saskachewan on December 9th, 1940 to Leo and Julienne Fafard. He was fifth of 13 children, a large, loving and supportive family. He was educated in both Ste.Marthe and St.Lazare, Manitoba. On May 21st, 1963 he married the love of his life, Eugenie pi9296 Whizoonepi9296 Chartier in St.Lazare, Manitoba. They started their life together in Regina, Saskachewan where Phil worked for the RCMP as well as SGI insurance while Whiz raised their first three children. They moved back to St.Lazare in the fall of 1968 and lived there ever since. Their family grew by three more children and he was so very proud of each of his six kids as well as the fact that he was raising his family close to home surrounded by grand-parents, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins. After a couple different positions in St.Lazare, Phil started his career with PCS Rocanville Division as a Purchasing Agent. He stayed with the company for thirty years and was proud of the work he had done and of the relationships he had developed with people far and wide. In 2000, at the age of 60, Phil retired and turned to some of his many other interests such as golf, community, small motors repair and carpentry. He even attended Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba where he improved his motors repair and woodworking skills. Always wanting to be challenged, he also began to develop his business skills when he became the proud owner of Place Fafard, the liquor and giftware store of St.Lazare. As an active member of the community he worked tirelessly on its improvement and its historical/economic development. Some of the positions he held were Deputy Mayor of St.Lazare, President of the local CDC (corporations de developpement communautaire) and active member of CDEM (conseil de developpement economiques des municipalites bilingues du Manitoba) . Projects that were dear to his heart were the opening of the Fort Ellice Interpretive Center, the P'tite Fourche park, the Fort Ellice site, the newly built baseball diamonds and the St.Lazare Church centennial, its history book and the new tabernacle in the summer of 2009. Phil was a very special man. He was a man of passion, passion for God, for people and for life. His faith, family and friends were important to him throughout his life and especially during his final six months. He was very proud of his wife, his children, their spouses and his 18 grand children and 1 great-grandchild. Cancer may have been stronger than you Dad but the legacy you have left is one we are very proud of. Phil leaves to mourn and celebrate his life, his wife of almost 47 years, Eugenie (Chartier) of St.Lazare, his eldest daughter Giselle Beaupre (Mark) of Killarney, his eldest son Phil II (Cathy) of Dauphin, Manitoba, his son Perry (Rhonda) of Kelowna, BC, his daughter Zeta Mowbray (Daemon) of St.Lazare, his daughter Eve Shakotko (Jason) of Brandon and his youngest daughter Gabrielle Ferguson (Rob) of Winnipeg, 18 wonderful grandchildren, Genevieve Fafard (Jaret), Colin, Daniel Beaupre, Philip III, Cateline, Luke, Aimee Fafard, Taylor Fafard, Veronique, Benoit, Xavier, Raphael Mowbray, Emmanuelle, Anique, Sebastien Shakotko, Zachary, Madelaine and Bella Ferguson, and his first greatgrandchild, Colette Fafard-Lamb. He is also survived by his brothers Guy (Marie), Claude (Elaine), Joe (Alice) and Jacques (Odette), his sisters Lucille Tremblay (Billy), Marianne Tremblay, Colombe Chartier (Jean-Marc), Bernadette Tilley (Terry), Denise Calin (Percy) and Raelynn Amarillo (Herman) as well as many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Philippe was predeceased by his Papa, Leo Fafard, his Maman, Julienne (Cantin) Fafard, his brother Bernard, his sister Colleen, his father in law, Reg Chartier, his mother in law, Jeanne (Huberdeau) Chartier and his brother in law, Bobby Tremblay. Prayers were held for Philippe at the St.Lazare Catholic Church on Sunday, April 11th, 2010 led by his good friend Deacon Conrad Plante. On Monday, April 12th, L'abbe Michel Nault officiated a very lovely and meaningful funeral mass which was followed by Phil's burial at the St.Lazare Cemetary. Pallbearers were Genevieve Fafard, Colin Beaupre, Daniel Beaupre, Philip Fafard, Cateline Fafard, Luke Fafard, Aimee Fafard, Veronique Mowbray and Benoit Mowbray. Funeral arrangements were taken care of by BraendleBruce Funeral Services in Russell. Memorial Donations can be made to the Russell and Area Palliative Care or to Cancer Care Manitoba. Phil's family would like to extend very heart felt thanks to so many people who were part of his courageous journey this past six months: Dr. Petierse, Dr. Belgassum, Dr. Amalchy and ALL OF THE ANGELS at the Russell Health Center, you people have the gifts of compassion and kindness. The care dad received while in your facility was second to none and we are so very appreciative. Thanks to Dr. Harding and his very capable staff at Cancer Care in Winnipeg. Also, thank you Father Michel, Deacon Conrad, Father Leo and to each and every one of you who visited dad once or several times. These visits and conversations were dad's lifeline and each one meant so much to him and to his family. Our home care helpers, Linda, Marianne, Bev and Sandra, thanks very much for coming into our home and assisting and supporting us as you did. Finally to the communities of St.Lazare, Birtle, Binscarth, Russell, Foxwarren, Ste.Marthe and Rocanville, to family, friends, neighbors and community members, your prayers, good wishes, food, flowers and support have been touching, overwhelming and have meant so so much! Merci beaucoup du fond de nos coeurs! Bye Dad, from all of us down here, to you (and your beloved family members) up there: We miss you, thanks for everything, your passion for God, for people and for life but especially for the unconditional love you shared with us!