GRAIG FRANCIS BOILEAU

Graig Francis Boileau, 85, of 48 Spruce Rd., Atikokan, Ont., passed away suddenly early Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Graig was born Dec. 6, 1925 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Francis and Irene Boileau (Saunders).
Graig’s father died when Graig was just three years old. In 1932, his mother, Irene, was remarried to Hugh Fleming. Over his youth and throughout his life, Graig spent many hours visiting his extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins in Fort Frances.
In 1943, at the age of 17, Graig enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, was shipped to Brandon, Man. for basic training, and then on to Vancouver, Calgary, Trenton, and St. Jean, Que. awaiting an overseas posting.
As a wireless air gunner, Graig flew the very last WWII scouting mission over the Atlantic Ocean in April, 1945.
After the war, Graig attended DVA school in Fort William, Ont., where he was introduced to his best friend’s cousin, Valerie Charlebois. The couple married in July, 1947 and settled in Fort Frances.
In 1951, Graig and Valerie moved with their first three children to the growing town of Atikokan. There, Graig began work for CAC on the Steep Rock and Marmion dredging operations until their completion.
Graig was a senior shop steward and union negotiator during his time at CAC.
Graig and Valerie went on to build their family home in Atikokan in the early 1950s and had six more children.
A deep recession in the early 1960s impacted employment opportunities at the Atikokan mines. With a large family to support, Graig made the decision to join Weston Bakery as an independent contractor and later as an employee of the Shaw Baking Company, where he remained until his retirement in 1992.
Many people in Atikokan still remember Graig fondly from his days delivering bread door-to-door or to various restaurants and small businesses in town.
In 1980, Graig and Valerie purchased a lot on Turtle Lake and joyfully spent many years with family and friends at the cabin they built.
In 1990, at the age of 65, Graig embarked on a new and rewarding career as a founding partner in the development of the Valerie Falls hydro-electric generating station on the Seine River near Atikokan. This 10-megawatt generating project was completed in 1994 and Graig was instrumental in the success of this project.
Sadly, after a lengthy illness, his wife, Valerie, passed away in April, 1998.
Graig was firmly committed to the practice of civic duty and gave much of his time to volunteering in numerous community activities. Graig was a member of the Atikokan & Separate School Boards for more than 20 years and was a central figure in the local Liberal Party, acting as president on more than one occasion.
For many years, Graig was active in the Atikokan Ski Club. He also was a member of the Legion.
Last but not least, Graig was a cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, active in the Knights of Columbus, deriving great joy from singing (sometimes on tune) in the church choir, and the parishioners appreciated his culinary skills at many a church breakfast.
An eternal optimist, his ready smile cheered the hospital patients he regularly visited and he set a great example as a father and friend. We will miss you, Dad!
During the past 13 years, Graig has cherished the loving companionship of Dolores Christian. They have travelled to visit their widespread families in various parts of Canada, and made frequent visits to his son, David’s, lake retreats in the Fort Frances area.
Graig will be terribly missed by Dolores Christian of Atikokan, Ont.; his nine children, Janice (Thor) Paulson and Linda (Neil) Punstel, both of Orangeville, Ont., Karen Boileau (Martin Mikus) of Minneapolis, Mn., Robert (Tamar) Boileau and David (Jacqueline) Boileau, both of Thunder Bay, Ont., Christopher Boileau (Michelle) of Waterloo, Ont., Mary Anne of Tofino, B.C., Jacqueline of Atikokan, Ont., and Paul of Chilliwack, B.C.; 21 grandchildren, Amber, Jennifer, Alistair, Sean, Daniel, Alexander, Patrick, Marc, Clare, Louis, Nadine, Kal, Jason, Alexandra, Olivia, Laura, Victoria, Alexina, Nora, Jordan, and Elisabeth; and four great-grandchildren, Adam, Morgan, Jenna, and Eric.
He also leaves to mourn his sisters, Maxine (Bud) Ronald, Carol Engstrom, and Pat (Rollie) Dumontet; and brothers, Tom (Betty-Ann) Fleming and Lyle (Linda) Fleming.
Graig was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Valerie; parents, Irene and Francis; stepfather, Hugh Fleming; and grandson, Graig.
Family and friends may visit Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Atikokan. Parish prayers will be offered at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Atikokan, with Fr. Elvis Odoegbulen officiating.
The pallbearers will be Ernie Toffan, Tony Marinaro, Alex Boileau, Alistair Boileau, Jordan Boileau, and Louis Boileau-Ivall.
Cremation will follow at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
Interment will take place in Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan at a later date.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to a charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com