JAMES EMILE BOUDREAU

JAMES EMILE BOUDREAU
Suddenly, after complications arising from heart by-pass surgery, James (Jim) Boudreau, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at St. Boniface Hospital on Saturday, April 14, 2007.
Jim was taken away in an instant, far too early, during his golden retirement years that he shared with the love of his life, Lillian.
Jim was born July 21, 1931 in Fort Frances, Ont. and was raised here. His wife, Lillian, was literally the “girl next door,” who he grew up with and fell in love with.
They were married June 19, 1954. Four children soon followed in short order.
Jim’s formal education ended after Grade 10 when he decided, as the oldest son in his family, to enter the workforce to help his parents. That began an impressive journey starting as a milk delivery boy and ending as regional manager of Western Canada for his corporate services insurance firm.
He went a long way professionally, using his God-given abilities and his passion for excellence, hard work, and determination.
His children were raised in a time of minimal personal wealth, money was always tight, but he gave his children the greatest gift of all: love and affection, consistent moral standards, and a strong sense of family.
Among Jim’s passions in life were fishing, the outdoors, and wood carving. In retirement, special times with Lillian were shared with summers at Rugby Lake in Northwestern Ontario and winters in Mesa, Ariz.
But his biggest passion in life was his family. Although he suffered from years of surgery and pain due to arthritis, he never missed a family outing and was always in attendance for any special family occasion, birthdays, football and hockey games, graduations, or just being there to give advice.
Jim believed the measure of one’s life was not the accumulation of material wealth, but rather on the influence on family and friends to ensure future generations know the meaning of love and have a strong moral compass.
In this, Jim was a champion.
Jim was loved dearly for his compassion and wisdom. Even though his children left the family home almost 30 years ago, they always have felt his presence in their lives as they made their choices.
As his children pass these same standards to their children, we know Jim will live on forever.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife of 52 years, Lillian; children, Holly (Larry) and their family, Karl & Eric; Guy and family, William & Matthew; Kallie (Nathalie) and their family, Lauren & Daniel; and Mark (Rose) and their family, Lia, Radek, Neill, Brent, & Mitchell; and his mother, Dora Boudreau.
Also surviving are his sister, Elsie (George) Tremblay and family, Dave & Debbie; sister-in-law, Joan Boudreau and family, Brad, Lori, & Brent; sister-in-law, Nel Melville and son, David; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Jim was predeceased by his father, Arthur (1956); and brothers, Richard and John.
A memorial service for Jim took place Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel in Selkirk, Man.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Arthritis Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Goodbye, dear Jim, Dad, Papa. Rest well, ’til we meet again.
Gilbart Funeral Home in Selkirk in care of arrangements.