Laurier Duclos

Laurier was a quiet man except when having a beer then he liked to talk a little too much. He was a real worker and sometimes had 3 jobs. He was very generous and never refused a poor man money. He was the baby of a family of 10. He was spoiled by his older sister Yvonne. He was a little wild when he was young. He was kicked by a horse and nearly lost an eye at 16. He went as far as grade 7 in school. He started work at age 14. He drove truck while working with his dad and brothers in the bush. He was 14 but said he was 16 because he had to be 16 to drive. He moved to Montreal with his mom and dad at 17. His father bought a corner store for him but he did not like it. He came back to work with his brother George and worked in the saw mill with him. He first met his future wife at 14 (for first communion). Then he went out with her for 2 years he was 21 and 22 years old. He was married in 1948 and moved to Thessalon. In November of 1949 he went into the bush as he had a contract there across the Mississauga River. He went with his wife and 2 month old baby daughter Johanne. He came back to Blind River in early April nearly broke. Then he moved to the Sault in 1950 into 1 room of a house, 4 of us were in the 1 room. He worked at the Chrome Plant until it closed. Then he owned his own trucks to deliver coal to the big stores on Queen St. where he had contracts. Then he went trucking in the bush hauling logs. Then he worked at the Canada Steamship Lines where he brought in the Union and became Union president. Then he had a workplace accident and nearly lost his right leg. He could not work with big machinery anymore. He then opened a construction company and had about 30 men working for him doing siding, roofing, renovations, windows and doors and he built 2 homes. He was very naive and people were taking advantage of him by stealing and puting in hours they didn't work. He had to learn how to write a contract in English as he couldn't even speak english when he came to the Sault. He kept everything in his head, addresses, amount of money they owed,and he remembered people’s faces but he couldn't remember names. He travelled a lot and loved it. He also loved picking shells and raspberries. He built a beautiful cottage with 5 bedrooms for his family on the beach on Sterling Bay, St. Joseph Island. This was the greatest legacy he could have given them. He use to sit outside on the porch and look at the grandkids playing. He loved fishing and playing cards. Before his accident it was his pleasure to bring his wife speckled brook trout. She loved them. They bought a trailer and went to Florida for 6 months at a time for a few years until he could not go anymore. He got sick just before leaving to go in 2002. He had to sell the cottage and move to the Sault as he could not keep up the work. He never complained or asked for anything but loved to give!

A Beautiful Life

A beautiful life

that came to an end,

he died as he lived,

everyone’s friend.

In our hearts,

a memory

will always be kept,

of one we loved,

and will never forget.

PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Lord, make me an instrument

of your peace.

Where there is hatred,

let me sow love;

where there is injury pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

and it is in dying

that we are born to eternal life.

Ave Maria

Ave Maria! maiden mild!

Listen to a maiden's prayer!

Thou canst hear though from the wild,

Thou canst save amid despair.

Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,

Though banish'd, outcast and reviled -

Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;

Mother, hear a suppliant child!

Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! undefiled!

The flinty couch we now must share

Shall seem this down of eider piled,

If thy protection hover there.

The murky cavern's heavy air

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;

Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;

Mother, list a suppliant child!

Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! stainless styled!

Foul demons of the earth and air,

From this their wonted haunt exiled,

Shall flee before thy presence fair.

We bow us to our lot of care,

Beneath thy guidance reconciled;

Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer,

And for a father hear a child!

Ave Maria!

Storms Never Last

Storms never last do they, baby?

Bad times will pass with the winds.

Your hand in mine steals the thunder.

You make the sun want to shine.

Oh, I followed you down so many roads, baby;

I picked wild flowers and sung you soft sweet songs.

And every road we took, God knows, our search was for the truth.

And the storm brewin' now won't be the last.

Storms never last do they, Jessie?

Bad times will pass with the winds.

Your hand in mine steals the thunder.

You make the sun want to shine.

Storms never last do they, Jessie?

Bad times will pass with the winds.

Your hand in mine steals the thunder.

DUCLOS, Laurier – Passed away peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2013 at the F.J. Davey Home at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Martha (nee Darveau). Loving father of Johanne Fontaine (Louis), the late Francis, the late Philippe, Celine Carter (Edward) and Liane Duclos. Fondly remembered by 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 1 pm until 2:30 pm. Funeral service from the chapel at 3 pm. Rev. Jean-Pierre Couillard officiating. Interment Tenby Bay Cemetery, St. Joseph Island. Memorial contributions to the SAH Cancer Care Fund or the SAH Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family. A special thank you to the caring staff at the F.J. Davey Home for their care and compassion.

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DUCLOS, Laurier – Passed away peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2013 at the F.J. Davey Home at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Martha (nee Darveau). Loving father of Johanne Fontaine (Louis), the late Francis, the late Philippe, Celine Carter (Edward) and Liane Duclos. Fondly remembered by 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 1 pm until 2:30 pm. Funeral service from the chapel at 3 pm. Rev. Jean-Pierre Couillard officiating. Interment Tenby Bay Cemetery, St. Joseph Island. Memorial contributions to the SAH Cancer Care Fund or the SAH Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family. A special thank you to the caring staff at the F.J. Davey Home for their care and compassion. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com