MAURICE (FRENCHIE) VAILLANCOURT

Peacefully, with his family by his side, Maurice (Frenchie) Vaillancourt, 94, passed away at Riverside Health Care Facilities in Fort Frances, Ont. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2003.
He was born Aug. 18, 1908 in Trois-Rivieres, Que. Maurice spent his early years in Western Canada and moved to Fort Frances at the age of 14.
He was very versatile and worked at various jobs throughout the Depression years, finally retiring from Boise Cascade in 1974.
On Nov. 4, 1930, Maurice was united in marriage to the former Mary McMahon, who predeceased him on Sept. 9, 2000.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and a 47-year member of the Knights of Columbus of Fort Frances.
Maurice will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends as a gentle, proud, quiet, generous, fun-loving man with a great sense of humour.
He enjoyed gardening, loved the outdoors, and spent many happy years at their cabin on Reef Point. He took great pride in his home and surroundings. He was a wonderful, caring father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Frenchie and Mary especially enjoyed working at the KC Hall for numerous functions, together with their fellow volunteers.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Kathleen; his parents; five sisters; and two brothers.
He is survived by three daughters, Rose Marie and husband, Bob Fero, and Maureen and husband, Jack Wilson, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Rochelle and husband, Tom Duchnicki, of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are four grandchildren, Tracey and husband, Alan Giles, and Paul and Guylaine Wilson, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., Dr. Christopher Duchnicki of Fort Frances, Ont., and Allyson and husband, Greg Kyle, of Petaluma, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Jessica, Chelsey, and Grace; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special daughter, Arleen Steinke and her family.
A memorial mass will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Ed Merchant, S.J., officiating.
Prayers will be offered Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances.
Honourary pallbearers will be Jim McLeod, Jack McCuaig, Walter Sobkowicz, Howard Bobczynski, Geoff Gillon, Allan Heskins, Alvin Armstrong, and Jack Steinke.
Cremation has taken place, and a private interment will take place at a later date.
In memoriam donations may be made to Continuing Care Unit at Riverside Foundation for Health Care, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.
I have fought they good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.