Gérard Proulx

            On Thursday, May 30, 2019 at the age of 83, Gérard Proulx passed away peacefully at his Clearwater Lake home surrounded by his loving family. Gérard was born Saturday, January 11, 1936 to Norbert and Adèle Proulx in Les Hauteurs, QC. He grew up the youngest of twenty-two children in Saint Charles Garnier, QC. He had a connection with each and every one of his siblings who helped shape him into the man he was.  Gérard then became the eldest son of the Ouellet family when he married the love of his life Odile in 1957.  In their sixty-one years of marriage, they faced life’s many challenges and built a wonderful, loving life together.

            Work shortages often forced Gérard and his brothers to take their show on the road.  They left their families to find employment in Ontario, Newfoundland and New Brunswick.  They all had the innate ability to do what was required for the positions they encountered.  In the early seventies, a portion of this travelling group of brothers brought their families to Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  In 1972, Gérard and his family settled in The Pas.

            A trained millwright, Gérard was a Jack-of-all-trades and shared his talents with many family and friends. No action or amount of time was too great for Gérard, helping out in any way he could and providing sage advice when needed. He enjoyed ongoing and never- ending home renovations with his children and grandchildren.  Most recently and finally he spent the last two years, with Denis working on the log cabin in the bushes of Cranberry Portage. Gérard was a great hockey fan and spent many nights at the arena watching his kids and grandkids play. For his seventieth birthday, his children surprised him with a trip to Montreal to watch his beloved “Habs”.

            He loved all types of music and especially live performances. He cherished the simple things in life and always lived for the moment.  He was a deep thinker, philosophical at times and was accepting of all. He was extremely humble and generous to a fault. He established many lifelong friendships and enjoyed many gatherings with family and friends, both in Manitoba and on their many trips home to Québec.  He was proud to be a Mason and a Knight of Columbus. As a person of great faith, Gérard was an active parishioner. He cared deeply for his wife, children and their families, his sisters and brothers.  Over the years, he became grandpapa to the many children that were lovingly cared for at Odile’s daycare. He is joining eternal life with his two infant sons, his parents, numerous siblings, nephews, nieces and many friends.

            Left to cherish Gérard’s memory is his loving wife Odile; his children Bernard (Myra, Rhonda), Dominique (Karen, Jocelyne), Rita (Denis), Alain (Brenda, Janice), Michel (Helen); his grandchildren Ryan (Julie), André, Emmanuelle (Chad), Sarah, Simon, Olivier, Andy (Brittany), Jillian (Jaret), Evelyn; great-grandchildren Aeryss, Jack, Benoît, Karter, Aubrie and Jackson; Brothers Jos-Andre, Raymond, Clovis; sister Desneiges; and all of his numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

            Prayers and visitation was held Sunday, June 2, 2019, 7:00 pm, at the Chapel of Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, Manitoba.

            A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, June 3, 2019, 2:00 pm, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, Manitoba, with Father James Fiori presiding.  Music ministry was provided by Jana Dutkiewics.

            A reception was held at the Guy Hall, The Pas, Manitoba

            Interment will be held in Quebec at a later date.

            Honorary Pallbearers were Jocelyn Proulx, Huguette Proulx, Norbert Proulx, Emily Proulx, Mario Proulx, Steve Everson, Caroline Bergeron, Mary Verdera, Dan Curry.

            In lieu of flowers, donations to The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Inc., Memorial Fund, Box 541, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1K6, would be appreciated by Gérard's family.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gérard Proulx, please visit our Tree Store.