Florent Forest

Florent was born in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan on the family farm on March 8, 1946. He attended College Mathieu in Gravelbourg. He finished his schooling in Willow Bunch, and then worked for a farmer in the Crane Valley area. At the age of 18, he started working for the RM of Willow Bunch and stayed there for 4 ½ years. He then went to Lanigan and worked in a mine for a year. In the spring of 1970, he moved to Limerick and was hired by the RM of Stonehenge as a seasonal employee. He worked his way up the ladder and became the RM foreman in 1974. On August 7, 1971, Florent married the love of his life, Dolores Therrien. They welcomed two daughters into the world – Jeannette and Michelle. Florent spent many hours at his family’s farm, working the field, tending the cattle and cutting meat in the butcher shop. Florent was a builder... and while he didn’t use traditional wood, his product of choice was metal. He and his brother Albert could, and did weld anything. Florent was active in the community. He served on the village council, the rink board and the hall board. He was always available to help out whenever needed. He took great pride in his work. During his career as RM foreman, he built over 80 miles of grid roads, farm access roads, and primary grid roads. Florent had many interests. He was the goalie for the Willow Bunch senior hockey team and loved to play slowpitch. Florent loved gardening. He and Dolores took great pride in their yard and garden. You could always find them outside after work hours, beautifying their yard. Florent also loved to hunt, and went on many hunting trips for moose, deer and elk. After his retirement, Dolores also retired, so they could spend more time together. They did take some holidays, but failing health forced them to stay home. Dolores lovingly cared for Florent at home until his move to Ross Payant Nursing Home in November 2012. The nursing staff became his extended family. The staff often spoke of Florent’s big smile and bright eyes when he would see Dolores on her daily visits. Florent is predeceased by his father Viateur; his mother Rose Eva; his brothers Poncho and Dennis and his sister Therese. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Dolores; daughter Jeannette and husband Jeff Haubrich and their children Kenzie, Hayden and Taryn; daughter Michelle and husband Kevin Wiks and their children Shanaya and Harlieanne; as well as many brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. A funeral mass was celebrated at St. George’s Roman Catholic Church in Assiniboia on Monday, May 4th, 2015 with Father Joy Montiague, Celebrant. A Tribute to Florent was delivered by Marlene Bushell. Pallbearers were: Rod Bushell, Joe Hildebrandt, Don Bushell, Lou Lavallee, Bob Crosson and Spencer Bushell. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Limerick. Memorial tributes in memory of Florent may be made to the South Country Health Care Foundation for the Ross Payant Nursing Home or to Beards for Brains.com, a fund for dementia research, established by his grandson Kenzie.