ROBERT W.L. ‘BOB’ COUSINEAU

Bob Cousineau, 80, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away suddenly and peacefully while berry picking east of Fort Frances on Aug. 2, 2000.
He was born in Fort Frances, where he lived his entire life prior to retiring in Mesa. Bob’s happiest times were spent fishing, hunting, berry picking, and prospecting around the Bear Pass area, which he did until the day he died.
Bob graduated from Fort High and then started his first full-time job at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Fort Frances. His banking career was cut short as he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a instructor, later attaining the rank of Flying Officer.
After the war, Bob returned home, where he went into the insurance business with John Reid Sr. of Reid’s Insurance. In 1954, he purchased the business and re-named it Cousineau Brokers, where he worked with his sons, Larry and Dan, until retiring in 1985.
Bob was very active in Fort Frances as a town councillor, Public Utilities Commissioner, school board member, La Verendrye hospital board member, president of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, president of the Northwestern Ontario Chambers of Commerce, and president of the Fort Frances Rotary Club.
Bob also was an honourary member of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.
He is survived by his wife, Gerry, and her four daughters, Karen, Patti, Candy, and Jill; sons, Larry (Janice), Dan (Gerry-Lynn), and Leon; grandchildren, Tammy Wielinga (Chris), Cory Cousineau (Stephanie), Tyler Cousineau, and Jenna and Christopher Cousineau; and brothers, Roy (Doris), Ray (Helen), Bernard (Barb), and Louis.
Also surviving are his sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia Cousineau, Denis DeGagne, Edna Cockburn, Evelyn and Vic Gordon, Jack and Ria Bouchard, and Patty and Bob Koski, and by special family members, Linda Kay, Krista and Derek Ballard, and Allan Heskins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Marie; first wife, Marion, who passed away in 1985; brothers, Leon and Jim; sisters, Joan Boileau and Rosemarie DeGagne; and brothers-in-law, Louis Boileau and Lawrence Cockburn.
A vigil prayer service was held Friday, Aug. 4, 2000 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with visitation following.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church.
Pallbearers were Cory Cousineau, Tyler Cousineau, Chris Wielinga, Richard Boileau, Paul Cousineau, and Bradley Cousineau.
Honourary pallbearers were Dr. J.H. Skinner, Van Green, Barney Maher, Bill Fontana, Hugh Cockburn, and Dick Collett.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.