LOUIS EMILE GERALD COUSINEAU

Louis Emile Gerald Cousineau, 85, of 149 Fourth St. W., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, shortly after noon on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Louis was born Sunday, May 19, 1929 in Fort Frances to the late William D. and Marie (Roy) Cousineau.
Louis spent his childhood in Fort Frances. He attended St. Mary’s School during his elementary years and later Fort Frances High School. Louis proved to be a strong student and good athlete, and graduated from high school in 1947.
Although keen on continuing his education and going to school to become a pharmacist, Louis ended up staying in Fort Frances when his father’s health began to fail. Louis helped his mother run the family business, the Electric Bakery at 272 Scott St.
When his father passed away in 1953, Louis stayed on at the store and later took ownership of it; buying it from his mother and bringing in his brother, Raymond, as a business partner.
The Electric Bakery, then later the Bonnie Blue, became a family-run business. The Bonnie Blue was a favourite spot in town to enjoy an ice cream, Long John, doughnut, spending time at the lunch counter, or just stopping for a chat with Louis, who always had a friendly smile for all.
In his spare time, Louis enjoyed many hobbies. His interest in prospecting took him on many different excursions throughout the district and allowed him to make many friends far and wide.
For all his work in the field, Louis was recognized by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors’ Association and awarded an Honourary Life-Time Membership in Thunder Bay in 2007.
Louis loved to spend time at Bears Pass with his family and friends. He also was an active and enthusiastic member of the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, the local Lions Club, and the local Knights of Columbus, Council 2766.
Louis was predeceased by his father, William D. Cousineau; mother, Marie; brothers, Bob, Leon, James, and Bernard; and sisters, Joan Boileau and Rose-Marie DeGagne.
He also was predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Marion, Doris, and Margaret; and brother-in-law, Louis Boileau.
Louis is survived by two brothers, Roy of Sacramento, Calif., and Raymond and wife, Helen, of Fort Frances, Ont.; sister-in-law, Virginia Cousineau of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and brother-in-law, Denis DeGagne of Thunder Bay, Ont.
He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him deeply.
Cremation took place at Rainy River Cremation in International Falls, Mn.
A memorial mass to celebrate Louis’s life was held Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Victor DeGagne S.J. officiated.
Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club provided the Honour Guard.
Internment will take place at a later date.
Friends visited with family on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 from 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
The Knights of Columbus led the rosary.
The pallbearers were nephews, James, Bradley, Edward, and George Cousineau.
The honourary pallbearers were Larry Cousineau, Richard Boileau, Paul Cousineau, Rob DeGagne, Dan Cousineau, and Ken Desjardins.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus of Fort Frances, the Lions Club of Fort Frances, or the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com