Louis Celos Boileau, of 660 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Thursday, March 25, 1999 peacefully at home with family members by his side.
Louis, 78, was born in Fort Frances on Sept. 21, 1920 to Jean-Baptiste Boileau and Marie Louise Blais.
He was predeceased by his parents, and his first wife, Joan Marie Cousineau in 1963; second wife, Irene Ann Stelfox in 1965; and third wife, Katherine Marie Lagerstrom in 1994.
He is survived by his eight children, James Boileau and wife, Susan, Wesley, Richard Boileau and wife, Patti, all of Fort Frances, Ont., John Boileau and wife, Monica, of Ottawa, Ont., Louise and husband, Mark Nelson, of New Braunfels, Tx., Darlene Bigbee of Memphis, Tn.; Butch and wife, Lynda Bartush, of Richfield, Mn., and Gwenn and Ben Boldt of Richmond, Va.
Thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. The grandchildren are Taylor Boileau, Steven, Andrea, and Marina Boileau, David and Stephanie Boileau, Lydianne Nelson, Coral Ryales, Wendy Monroe, Shelly Nelson, Rebecca Smith, and Jonathon, and Jeffrey Boldt.
His great-grandchildren are Cole and C.J. Monroe, Sam and Max Nelson, and Isaac Smith.
Louis has one surviving brother, Lin and wife, Jean Boileau, and one surviving sister, Rose Busch, all of Fort Frances, Ont.
In WWII, Louis was a flight lieutenant for the RCAF. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross while piloting Beaufighter aircraft.
Louis was instrumental in the formation of the Fort Frances Search and Rescue Unit and taught hunter safety courses. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and, of course, telling tall tales.
In recent years, he travelled extensively to visit family and friends, and took special joy in sharing in his children and grandchildren’s activities. The highlight of his year was the hunting trip he took with his sons.
Louis touched many people’s lives and will be missed dearly.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 29, 1999 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Father Ed Kosa officiating.
Friends visited Sunday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Parish prayers were offered at 7:30 p.m.
Pallbearers were Jeff Busch, Earl Busch, David Boileau, Paul Boileau, Larry Cousineau, and Dan Cousineau.
The guard of honour were ex-air force aircrew members Bill Kirk, Bruce Murray, Art Johnson, Stan Ward, Mike Kowalchuk, and Sam Harcus.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.