GUS DESAULNIERS

Gus Desaulniers was born in Pinewood, Ont. on July 3, 1925 to John and Emeriza Desaulniers.
He moved to Fort Frances, Ont., where he married Helen Wood on June 7, 1951. They later moved their family to Dryden, Ont. in 1965, where they built their life together.
Gus worked in his father’s sawmill before driving truck for Clarke Robinsons Transport, Macleans Company, and Texaco.
Gus was active in the Knights of Columbus for more than 40 years, holding office and status of Fourth Degree Knight. He also was a Cub and Scout leader.
Gus enjoyed time with his family, including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always the jokester, making jokes and pulling pranks, anything for a laugh.
He spent countless hours hunting, fishing, and camping and playing cards, in particular beating us all in crib. He also took pride in working with his hands, gardening, and building birdhouses as well as other wooden yard ornaments (the large wooden Santas were a particular favourite to his grandchildren).
Gus is survived by his children, Daniel (Teresa), Albert (Rolande), David (Yvonne), Dennis (Kim), Richard (Sandra), and Maureen Wall (Randy), all of Dryden, Ont., and Carol Hughes (Glen) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; as well as 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are foster children, Ron Frennette of Dryden, Ont. and Janice Cullens (Brian) of Brandon, Man.; sisters, Sophie Arpin of Rainy River, Ont. and Rosalyn (Rousseau) of Fort Frances, Ont.; brother, Amie Desaulniers (Jean) of Pinewood, Ont.; sisters-in- law, Edith Richert of Fort Frances, Ont. and Alice Shurvell of Brandon, Man.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Helen; three grandchildren, Joshawa, Curtis, and Joseph; his parents, John and Emeriza; brothers-in-law, Larry Arpin, Jim Rousseau, Robert Wood, Lloyd Shurvell, and Arthur Wood; sister-in-law, Beatrice Wood; as well as his father- and mother-in-law, Nathan and Amy Wood.
Visitation was held Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home’s Chapel in Dryden, with prayers at 7 p.m.
Funeral service were held Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Dryden, with Fr. Al Campeau officiating.
Interment followed in the Dryden Cemetery.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, Ont., P8N 2X3.