BENNIE IRVINE (B.I.) DICK

Bennie Irvine (B.I.) Dick, 80, of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at his home.
Irvine was born in Fort Frances on Sept. 22, 1924. He has lived his whole life in Fort Frances and up the lake.
Irvine started working for the O&M paper mill in his teens. He later enlisted with the RCNVR and served during the “Biggie” (World War II). After the war, Irvine returned to Fort Frances and resumed work as a millwright.
On Dec. 23, 1945, Irvine was baptized into the faith. He remained a member of St. Mary’s Parish for the rest of his life.
On June 8, 1946, B.I. married the love of his life, Mavis Camirand.
Irvine was an active member of the Fort Frances Legion Br. #29 for 34 years. He enjoyed serving as a volunteer bartender at Rainycrest, and also served many years on the Armstrong Road Committee and the Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club.
Some of Irvine’s best times were spent at the hunting shack on Rice Bay with his buddies. He loved to be on the lake duck hunting. Weekends and Holidays were spent with family and friends at Me-Kin-Noc Lodge on Rainy Lake. A good time was had by all.
Irvine also spent many hours making rosaries that were sent to India, the Philippines, South America, and most recently to Nigeria.
Irvine had a great sense of humour, and he loved to tell a story or two. He also enjoyed Herman cartoons.
Irvine was very interested in his family’s history and origins. He held Plum Coulee, Man. in a special place in his heart.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mavis; children, Penny (Nelson) Boutilier of Atikokan, Ont., Diane (Ken) Chase of Thunder Bay, Ont., Richard (Woodrina Hughes) Dick of British Columbia, and Leah (Richard) Boutet of Rosenfeld, Man.; and foster daughters, Irene Frenette of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Nancy Selinger of Brandon, Man. Also surviving are grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shelley (Phil) Sauvé, Leslie (Francis), Abby, Zoe Delisle, Michael Chase of Calgary, Jason Selinger of Calgary, Kevin (Jamie Skinner) Selinger of Winnipeg, Man., Holly and son, Devin Selinger, of Brandon, Man., Matthew (Alicia McMillan) Boutet, Stephen Boutet of Rosenfeld, Man., and Laura Boutet of Winnipeg, Man.; sisters, Sarah Jean Cooper, Susie (Chuck Canfield), and Evelyn Suppli; and brothers, John and Roy (Reta) Dick.
Irvine was predeceased by his parents, Helena and John Dick; brothers, Henry (Dutch) and Edward (in infancy); sister-in-law, Suoma Dick; and brothers-in-law, Ed Eldridge and Don Cooper.
A vigil prayer service will be held on Friday, April 29, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Deacon Bill Adair officiating.
Funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Cremation will take place at Riverside Crematorium in Thunder Bay following the service.
The pallbearers will be the grandchildren, Shelley Sauvé, Jason Selinger, Leslie Chase Delisle, Holly Selinger, Michael Chase, Kevin Selinger, Mathew Boutet, Stephen Boutet, and Laura Boutet.
The honourary pallbearers will be Angelo Dittaro, Leo Camirand, Steve Buttner, Bill Fostey, Charles Canfield, Monroe Plumridge, Orielle DeGagne, Walter Duchnicki, Jim McLeod, Graig Boileau, and Mark Addison.
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that in memoriam donations be made to the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 206 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B9 or the Alzheimer’s Society, 180 Park Ave., Suite 310, Thunder Bay, Ont., P7B 6J4.