It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Edgar Burnell on Monday, Sept. 29, 1997 at the age of 57.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Simone, of 31 years; his daughter, Robyn and husband, Marc Bourrier; his daughter, Evelyne and husband, Matt Parsons, and his two sons, Oscar and Donald; and his four-year-old grandson, Nicolas, who he adored and took great pleasure in spoiling.
Gordon was looking forward to the birth of Evelyne and Matt’s first-born, which is due in early December.
Also surviving are his mother, Eleanora Burnell; and 10 brothers and sisters, Joyce (Jake) Broesky, Lorraine (Don) Purchase, Herb (Kay) Burnell, Edith (Vianney) Gauthier, Oscar (Carol) Burnell, Audrey (Fred) Purchase, Fran (Bill) Faragher, Ray (Denise) Burnell, Ruth (Norman) Bachiski, and Dorothy (Don) Grenier.
They all meant so much to him. Family was always very important to Gordon.
He also is survived by his mother-in-law, Evelyne Grenier; and in-laws, Alice (Kelly) Eckert, Bertine (Tony) Pawluk, Paul (Joanne) Grenier, Isabelle (Arnold) Eckert, Lorraine Hill, Jeanne Boisseanault, Denis (Pauline) Grenier; and godsons, Jean Grenier, Doyle Purchase, and Bill Faragher.
Numerous nieces and nephews and close family friends also will deeply miss him.
He was predeceased by his father, Robert Burnell; sister, Edith Gauthier; niece, Tara Grenier; father-in-law, Jean Grenier; and brothers-in-law, Fred Purchase, Jake Broesky, and Don Grenier.
Gordie was born July 22, 1940 in Middlebro, Man. and grew up in Giroux, Man. He then moved to Winnipeg to work as a mechanic at Supercrete. Three years later, he moved to Finland, Ont. with his wife, Simone, and two young daughters. He first had a sawmill with his brother, Oscar, and then worked at various jobs including guiding, a butcher in Nestor Falls, a lineman for Ontario Hydro, and worked on the pipeline.
The job he loved the most (which was his present one) was cutting wood and driving the skidder in the bush. He also took care of numerous private cabins at Clearwater and Off Lake during the summer months. At both of these jobs, he met many life-time friends. Gordon was always there for anyone who needed him--anytime, anywhere.
He had a love for gardening--vegetables and flowers. Many kids around Finland will remember him for his Halloween pumpkins in the fall. His daughters both have beautiful flower gardens because of his expertise in landscaping.
Gordon also was an avid hunter. He spent many hours and days hunting with his two sons for deer and partridge. Nothing tasted better to him than partridge and gravy and deer steak.
He also had a tremendous love for reading, and spent many hours reading up on family and world history. He also enjoyed reading Louis L’amour western novels.
Gordon also had wonderful memories of his younger years playing in baseball tournaments with the Giroux "A’s" in Giroux. And Gordon will always be remembered by his Finland neighbours for his early-morning "coffee and run" visits.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, 1997 at 2 p.m. at the Emo Christian Reformed Church in Emo, Ont. Rev. Henry Kornelson and Eileen Bragg will officiate, with interment in Finland cemetery in Finland, Ont.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be Ted Halverson, Dave Bragg, George Siemens, Kelly Eckert, Buster Burnell, and Robbie Burnell.
Honourary pallbearers will be Bill Faragher, Gene Beck, Vianney Gauthier, Hilton Sproule, Paul Grennier, Kelly Eckert, Arnold Eckert, Ed Borg, Carl Bragg, Kevin Low, Howard Teeple, and Sonny Ferris.
Family would like to thank all of our close friends and family for their love and support over the past five months. It means so much to us that we could count on them when help was needed. Special thanks to Ted Halverson, Gordon’s "foreman," and wife, Debbie, who was there for us every step of the way.
We would like to thank Dr. Johnston and Dr. Gillespie at the Health Sciences Centre, and Dr. J. O’Sullivan and Dr. Whatley at the Emo Hospital. The nurses at GH3 and GD4 at the Health Sciences Centre and the Emo Hospital. You made Gordon’s sometimes endless stays in the hospital much more comfortable, and he loved sharing his sense of humour with you all.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Hospital Memorial Fund, 260 Front St., Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
LOIS CAIN (OGDEN)
With great sadness, the family of Lois Cain announces her passing away on Sept. 26, 1997 in hospital with family at her side.
Lois was born June 19, 1937 in Fort Frances, Ont.
She married Dennis Cain in 1956, lived in various mining communities, and raised five children. She moved with family to Ireland in 1967, returning to Canada in 1973 and has resided in Thunder Bay since 1974.
Lois was employed for numerous years by Zellers and Eaton’s department stores. She took great pride in her family, adored her grandchildren, and especially enjoyed family gatherings.
She is survived by husband, Dennis; children, Cindy (Jerry) Jaleel of Edmonton, Len (Chris), Mike, Cathy (Jim) Fodchuk, and Lori (Dave) Robertson, all of Thunder Bay; nine grandchildren; and mother, Loretta Ogden, and brother, Gord (Marian) Ogden, all of Fort Frances,
Numerous other relatives also survive.
She was predeceased by her father, Roy Ogden; sister, Beverly Papich; and niece, Krista Ogden.
Cremation has taken place, and funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. when friends and family gathered for a funeral mass at St. Dominic’s Church celebrated by Rev. Dan Lapolla C.S.
Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.
Visitation with the family took place Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. in the Blake Funeral Chapel, with prayers commencing at 7 p.m.
If friends so desire, memorials to the Lung Association-Thunder Bay Chapter, or the charity of your choice, would be greatly appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Lois Cain in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. The annual dedication service will be held Sunday, June 28, 1998.
JAMES JOSEPH DESCHAMPS
James (Jimmy) Deschamps, formerly of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 3, 1997 at the hospital in Kamloops, B.C.
Jimmy was born April 30, 1922 in Penetang, Ont. He served with the army during World War Two.
He married Norma Bujold in 1948, and they made their home in the area until moving to B.C. in 1983.
Jimmy worked at Mel Newman’s during the late 1940s and 1950s. He then worked for Canada Post, and was a mail carrier until his retirement.
After his retirement, Jimmy was a familiar sight at the Bonnie Blue, which he visited almost daily. He took up woodworking, and many of his family and friends have beautiful pieces of his work to cherish.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Carolyn (Robert) Smith; and sons, Dennis (Judy) Deschamps, and Delbert (Ann) Deschamps.
He also is survived by 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Phil and Bernard Deschamps from Fort Frances; sisters, Irene Schuchard of North Dakota, and Theresa Deschamps of Fort Frances; and numerous nieces and nephews, who will miss their "favourite uncle."
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Rose Deschamps; sisters, Hilda Ducatt, and Sister James Marie; and brother, Fred Deschamps.
A memorial service is being held Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
GARY JAMES GRAHAM
Gary James Graham, 50, of 124 Fifth St. W., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997.
He was born Sept. 24, 1947 in Port Arthur, Ont. to Percy and Doris Graham. Gary received his education and grew up in Thunder Bay, and later worked for several years at the Provincial Mill and Palm Dairies. On Aug. 8, 1970, he was united in marriage to Diane Olinyk, and in 1972 moved to Rainy River, Ont.
Gary enjoyed refereeing minor hockey and high school hockey, and also umpiring baseball. He also worked many years as a volunteer for the fire department and ambulance, town councillor for four years, and as a Customs officer at Canada Customs.
In 1984, the family moved to Fort Frances, where he continued his enjoyment of umpiring baseball, and where he was promoted to the position of Canada Customs Superintendent.
Gary also was an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 in Fort Frances, and especially enjoyed fishing with family and friends at Sowdon.
He was predeceased by his father, Percy Graham; and one sister, Lynn Andru.
Gary is survived by his wife, Diane Graham, and two sons, Michael and Gregory Graham, all of Fort Frances, Ont.; his mother, Doris Graham of Brantford, Ont.; two brothers, Bryan Graham and wife, Evelyn, of Mississauga, Ont., and Chris Graham of Brantford, Ont.; one sister, Catherine and husband, Brian Coombs, of Brantford, Ont.; one brother-in-law, Terry Olinyk, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mike and Beatrice Olinyk, of Rainy River, Ont.; numerous nieces and nephews; and by his best friend, B.B.
A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 6, 1997 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Garth Clifford officiating. The Canada Customs Honour Guard provided their tribute during the service.
Honourary pallbearers were Murray Fairnington, Doug Wilson, Bob Green, Dave Montgomery, Glen Treftlin, and Don Baldwin.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
JAMES JOSEPH DESCHAMPS
James (Jimmy) Deschamps, formerly of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 3, 1997 at the hospital in Kamloops, B.C.
Jimmy was born April 30, 1922 in Penetang, Ont. He served with the army during World War Two.
He married Norma Bujold in 1948, and they made their home in the area until moving to B.C. in 1983.
Jimmy worked at Mel Newman’s during the late 1940s and 1950s. He then worked for Canada Post, and was a mail carrier until his retirement.
After his retirement, Jimmy was a familiar sight at the Bonnie Blue, which he visited almost daily. He took up woodworking, and many of his family and friends have beautiful pieces of his work to cherish.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Carolyn (Robert) Smith; and sons, Dennis (Judy) Deschamps, and Delbert (Ann) Deschamps.
He also is survived by 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Phil and Bernard Deschamps from Fort Frances; sisters, Irene Unger of North Dakota, and Theresa Deschamps of Fort Frances; and numerous nieces and nephews, who will miss their "favourite uncle."
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Rosanna Deschamps; sisters, Hilda Ducatt, and Sister James Marie; and brother, Fred Deschamps.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Editor’s note: The family ran this obituary again in full because Mr. Deschamps’ sister, Irene Unger, had been incorrectly identified as Irene Schuchard in last week’s Times.
ETHEL BERNICE QUINN-CSIK
Ethel Bernice Quinn-Csik, 96, of 554 Riverview Dr., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital on Monday, Oct. 13, 1997.
She was born Aug. 20, 1901 in Wilmur, Ont. to the late William Walter and Minnie Freeman.
Bernice taught school in southern Ontario before her marriage to Edward Quinn. In 1937, they moved to the Rainy River District. Following the death of her husband in 1953, she moved from the family farm north of Emo to Fort Frances, allowing her to pursue a life-long passion for music.
She taught piano and accordion for many years until her retirement in 1972 upon her marriage to Alexander Csik.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Luva Walker, Rita Everdell, Auleen Moon, and Vivian Freeman; her second husband, Alexander Csik; sons, Stuart Quinn, Percy Quinn, Fleming Quinn, and Allan Quinn; and stepson, John Csik.
Bernice is survived by five daughters, Luva Steele of Los Alamitos, Calif., Clara and husband, Earl Frazer, of Trail, B.C., Margaret Moffatt of Chicago, Ill., Auleen and husband, Andy Molcan, of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Gwen and husband, Ron Ellingson, of Shakopee, Mn.; daughters-in-law, Edna Quinn of Emo, Ont., and Ilamae Quinn of Atikokan, Ont.; three stepchildren; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances.
Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 17, 1997 from 7-8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
In memoriam donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church Memorial Fund, either directly or in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
