Mr. Al Comeau

Al was born to Acadian parents, on the 13th of July 1926 near the foot of the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in Campbellton, New Brunswick. Third oldest in a family of 9, he was raised and educated in New Brunswick and Quebec. The family was transferred during the depression to Amqui, Quebec in 1932 where Al attended grade school for four years and learned to speak French.

Five years later, in 1937 they found themselves back in Campbellton and moved again in 1939 where they lived on a large farm outside of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Al became a Tradesman’s Apprentice with Canadian National Railways in Moncton in 1944 and remained employed as a Tradesman there for 22 years. It was during that time that he met and married Pearl LeBlanc with whom he had 4 children, Charlene, Marlene, Stephen and Colleen.

Al was very active in the Trade Union and for a time pursued his childhood dream of flying. He took flying lessons at the Moncton Flying Club Training School and after 5 hours and 20 minutes of instruction, went on his solo flight in a DeHavilland aircraft in January of 1949.

In 1967 he was promoted within his Union to the position of International Representative with headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas. This position took his family to Mississauga, Ontario.

During his duties in the next 20 years he made representations on various levels of governments on behalf of Canadian workers. Just before retirement, he was appointed to the Federal Government to a Saget Committee for free trade negotiations between Canada and the United States.

After a 44 year career he retired in August 1988. He then went on to more creative endeavours. His talents were many and his interests were vast.

One of his great hobbies was building and flying radio controlled aircraft, an activity he enjoyed and mastered, earning him his flying wings in June 1991. He became an instructor, training ambitious youngsters on how to fly. He was a member of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada, a member of the Bramalea Radio Control Flyers and a member of the Oakville Model Flying Club where in June they held the annual Air Show with all proceeds going to the Food Bank.

He was a self-taught Artist and his best hobby of all was oil painting. Paintings of all sizes were completed over the years. A number are still on display at his home as well as at the home of his children. Many of these paintings have been named by the grandchildren. Each Christmas one new painting would be featured and each grandchild came up with their secret title. The adults voted and the winner was announced.

He and Pearl over the years would personalize their Christmas card to friends by using a picture of a current oil painting which would be enjoyed by all, enabling the recipients to add to their valued “collection”.

Al and Pearl did much traveling with their motor home. It was definitely another little home filled with the pictures of all their grandchildren…or the pictures of whichever family member was hitching a ride somewhere.

He and Pearl have been very active members of Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga. He was very proud when Pearl became a Eucharistic Minister in the Church, but above all else he had a strong devotion and love for his family.

In remembrance of Al’s vibrant and colourful personality, each grandson was honoured to wear one of his ties, at his funeral.

A few thoughts from daughter Charlene;

"I thank my heavenly Father for the earthly father that He gave me. Dad provided our family life with happiness, security, stability and love. As I grew up, he was my perfect example of what a man should be. His greatest gift to us was the love he had for our mother. I asked once, when I was about 6 years old, “Are you and Mom related?” He answered, “Yes! Husband and wife is the closest relationship two humans can have” – I never forgot it. He raised Mom up and loved her. In return, she gave him his place as head of the family and spiritual leader. Along with the love, I remember the laughter, kindness, story telling and wise counsel. The words of Paul the Apostle come to me now as I reflect upon his life “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” It is comforting to know that he is now in the presence of our Lord, with our children, Andre and Alicia at his side. Thank you Mom for taking care of him until the very end. I love you".

A few thoughts from daughter Marlene;

"Dad loved us all with a deep, caring and unconditional love. He was very giving of himself and spent quality time with his children and grand children. I will always cherish the memories of our regular visits to St. Jacob’s with Mom and Dad. We’d shop and Dad would carry everything to the Van, so we could keep shopping. Charlene and I would go to the cattle auctions with Dad and he’d pretend to bid on the livestock, making us nervous. Most of all he made us laugh. We believed every story he ever told us.

One of his favourite antics was to fake tripping in public while making funny faces. We’d hide and make like we didn’t know him.

Dad was a devoted husband to Mom. Their marriage relationship has been the model we all try to emulate.

I’ll never forget his greeting for me…. “Hi Barnie”…I can still hear it.

It gives me great joy to know that he is with Jesus and disease and suffering are no more."

A few thoughts from son Stephen;

"Dad was my “bigger-than-life hero and mentor”. He and Mom had a unique sense of logic and control to everything in life. Any successes I have ever achieved in life came from what I learned from them. I already feel somewhat lost, as I have had a life-long addiction to Dad particularly for his youthfulness and logical thinking. No matter what problem I ever had, it was always better after talking with Dad.

I take comfort in magically seeing Dad’s qualities in both of my children. This gift from Dad will offer me a precious part of him throughout their lives."

A few thoughts from daughter Colleen;

"I loved, respected and admired my Dad and I strive, in my life, to incorporate his values everyday. He taught us to live our lives with integrity, to be fair and non-judgmental, and to deal with trials in a positive, calm and practical way. He was a great fan of the human spirit, and taught us to see value in every human being. All that serious stuff combined with his wit charm and charisma drew people to him. Our childhood was filled with laughter, joking, stories and unconditional love. I’m glad I held his hand to the end. I miss my Dad! It was so hard to say good-bye."

To quote some of Al’s recent remarks: “Thank you…….

To my loving wife Pearl, thank you for being my wonderful caregiver of 54 years.

To my twin daughters, Charlene and Marlene who walk so close with Jesus and have inspired all of us.

To my son Steve who has become a pillar in the family for his prompt and affective attention in a time of great need.

To my baby daughter Colleen who, like her mother, always a genuine caregiver with a heart of solid gold.

To my Sons in law, Roman, Jim and Jan and to our Daughter-in-law Chris, blessing us with our grandchildren:

André, Amanda, Brian, Alicia, Christopher, Jonathan, Natalie, Matthew, Shane and Victoria.

We thank you Jesus, for helping us through our terrible ordeal in the losses of André in 1993 and Alicia in 1999 and for being the source of our strength.

Today their three daughters Charlene, Marlene and Colleen live in Mississauga and their son Stephen in Brantford.

We were totally equipped for the adversity we faced.

Toronto Star Newspaper Obituary :

Comeau, Alphie Joseph,

Went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at his residence in his 78th year. Al Comeau, beloved husband of Pearl for 54 years. Loving father of Charlene Pysanczyn and her husband Roman, Marlene Pysanczyn and her husband Jim, both of Mississauga, Steve Comeau and his wife Chris, of Brantford and Colleen Petersen and her husband Jan, of Mississauga. Also loved by his grandchildren Brian and Amanda Pysanczyn, Chris and Jonathan Pysanczyn, Natalie and Matthew Comeau, Shane and Victoria Petersen and the late Andre Pysanczyn (1993) and Alicia Pysanczyn (1999). Dear brother of Nettie O'Brien and Carmel Higgins, both of Moncton. Friends will be received at the NEWEDUK FUNERAL HOME "MISSISSAUGA CHAPEL" 1981 Dundas St. W., (1 block east of Erin Mills Parkway) from 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Merciful Redeemer Parish, 2775 Erin Centre Blvd (at Glen Erin Drive), Mississauga on Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 10 a.m. Private interment Meadowvale Cemetery. Donations to Camp Oochigeas, 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 201, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5 would be appreciated by Al's family.