Obituary of Eugene Dussault

DUSSAULT ~ Eugene Joseph Dussault passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the age of 82 years. Eugene will be sadly missed by his loving wife Blanche; his children: Germaine (Morris) Skoretz, Helene (Dana) Fisher, Lionel Dussault, Michele (Fred) Farrell; his grandchildren: Devon & Dawson Farrell, Desiree & Trae Dussault, Hannah & Levi Fisher, Mikaela, Cassandra & Stacey Skoretz; his brothers: Gerard Dussault, Henri Dussault & Louis Dussault as well as his sister Aurore Duhaime. The prayer service was conducted from St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. with Father Jan Sobkowicz officiating. The Mass Of Christian Burial was conducted from St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Jan Sobkowicz officiating. The honorary pallbearers were Henri Dussault, Gerard Dussault, Louis Dussault, Roland Dussault, Aime Arcand, Maurice Bru, Rudy Kekula, Leo Benoit and George Yaurenko. The active pallbearers were Lionel Dussault, Trae Dussault, Fred Farrell, Morris Skoretz, Cassandra Skoretz, Dana Fisher and Levi Fisher. Interment was held at the Wycollar Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY On behalf of our Mom, Blanche; Michele, Germaine and I, and our brother, Lionel, I want to thank everyone for being here. Today we come together so that we can be around all of the people who loved our dad so that we might feel his presence through sharing memories of him....sharing tears....and maybe even sharing some laughter. Even throughout the past months in the hospital, we have laughed. Dad was always saying "Pack me up and take me home". When we think of someone's life, it is not the events and accomplishments that define who we are (doctor, lawyer, scientist) but who we are as human beings (friend, mentor, teacher, healer). He welcomed into his life three very individual, sometimes frustrating (particularly when they took over sorting his tools for the auction) son-in-laws, Morris, Dana and Fred. As his Grandchildren - Stacey, Cassandra, Levi, Mikaela, Trae, Hannah, Desiree, Dawson and Devon - grew around him he supported and participated eagerly in whatever was on the agenda at that moment. More than anything else, he was our Dad and our Mom's, life partner. So much goes into that simple statement. Our Dad, Eugene Joseph Dussault, was a man who worked hard to provide for his family and loved them. He and Mom were the examples that we modeled our work ethics as adults after. An amazing work ethic which all his children have inherited. He was a friend to many, called "Frenchie" by some, always making sure he had a hello for everyone, a friendly gesture, time to talk, time to be a friend...time for people. Eugene Joseph Dussault showed us not only how to work and work hard but to leave time for laughter and play. We remember - love of fishing, summers at the lake; dumping truckloads of sand for us to play in; moments of pride when he did try to learn and first spell our names; playing pool with anyone who was willing to "Knock some ball around", love of cards, beating us every time in the game of rummy and taking great pleasure in it; waiting for Grandpa's tractor to pull into town at the end of the day; his grandchildren looking forward to rummaging through Grandpa's junk pile on the back lot finding whatever they needed to create things from their imagination; sneaking up to the playhouse to see if he was still napping (loved to have his naps on the side); yearly Easter Egg hunt with his grandkids when he was an eager participant. He was born in Eastern Canada, where he only spent his early years. Moving West with his family, seven brothers and two sisters. They settled in Paynton, Saskatchewan. He met the love of his life, our mother, Blanche L'Heureux, in Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan; married in 1954 raising our family of five in Marsden, Saskatchewan. For thirty one years, he was employed by the Rural Municipality of Manitou Lake as Foreman and Machine Operator. There were often early morning phone calls from bus drivers always relying on Dad to clear the roads so they could pick up the kids to get to school; on those stormy days he would be out early to clear those roads. In the summer we actually tried to get up at the same time as Dad, which I think was 4:00 in the morning or we were coming home about the time that he was leaving. This summer he talked with pride that even though he never learned to read due to life's circumstances - he could pick out the information he needed out of the manuals to fix the graders and do all the orders for parts. Dad has passed on now, and he leaves his family to carry on. We are proud of him, of all that he was, and all that maybe he would have liked to be if times had been different. We are mostly proud to say this one thing: Of all that he was - He was our Dad. Don't grieve for me, for now I am free. I am following the path God laid for me I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work, to play. If parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, and all these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now. He set me free. With Dad's passing, he is now able to walk again.................................in spirit. CARD OF THANKS Thank you to Dr. Kerlis and all the staff at the Lloydminster Hospital; McCaw Funeral Service; Father Jan and the congregation of St. Anthony's R.C. Church; and Lynn and Rudy Kekula. Donations in memory of Eugene may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.