Paul M. Soubry

Welcome and Good Morning, my name is Mark, I am the oldest of the 6 children and on behalf of all of us and especially my Mom, welcome to the celebration of my Dads Life. The world has lost a good man.

We also would like to thank, his brothers Marc Soubry whom came from Belgium and Mr. & Mrs. JP Soubry of Montreal whom have come here today to be with us. My Uncle’s Ron from Sherbrooke and Uncle Pete whom was in Florida ,as well as my Moms best friend Monique and daughter whom came from Montreal but has known both of my parents for 65 years.

When the funeral mass is over the immediate family (only) will go to the Internment site and then we invite everyone to meet us at the St. Charles Golf and Country club for coffee/tea and light sandwiches after the mass.

There are only a few times in our lives when we realize how strong the family ties are and I stand here in front of all of you to tell you how proud I am of each of my siblings, Mom and Dad you did a great job in raising our family. I also see it in the grand children whom are all here today.

Together we will spend a few minutes to celebrate my father, to morn his loss, to learn a little about him that maybe we did not know and most of all to honour him. I can only hope that a little bit of his spirit and what he stands for will rub off on each of you like it has on us.

I will start by reading a small poem written by Linda Ellis called “The Dash” that sets the tone for today;

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of his birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered the most of all

Was the dash between those years

For the dash represents all the time

That he spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a while.

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash

In a few minutes my sister Marina will speak of my Dad’s sense of family and my brother Paul Jr will speak of his accomplishments. In short talk about his dash.

We want his example of integrity, honesty and humbleness to live on for many years to come and have set up a Scholarship Fund at the University of Manitoba in his name for an International University Student that wants to Study in Canada.

Dad, wow what a Dash you have lived and set as a bench mark for us all to aspire to. Thank you for being the best man at my wedding, for everything you have done and most of all for the example you have set for us all to live by. You left this world a better place by your life and we are very proud of your Dash.

I love you Dad, rest assured that we will take care of Mom and all aspire to be the best at what we can be in your honour so that when its time for our DASH we can leave this world a better place.

Mark Soubry

February 27, 2010

Paul Soubry held many positions during his life, but the one he was most proud of was that of a devoted husband, a father, grandfather, friend and brother.

Our dad had the most beautiful eyes that you have ever seen. They were as blue as the sky. Soft and kind, and an ease about him, that immediately you knew the kind of man he was. Gentle, caring and genuine. He was always so welcoming to anyone that he met, took the time to listen to their personal stories and was truly interested in them. His firm handshake and ability to make people feel comfortable was uncanny.

Dad was a man of deep faith in God and a devote Catholic. He demonstrated this in his actions everyday and instilled in us the importance of faith in our lives. He never went to bed without saying his prayers, being thankful for every day and all his blessings. He would gently remind us of the Confession schedule and holy days of obligation via email notes just in case we forgot. We know that his faith has served him well and will help all of us to get through this very difficult time.

He set the bar high, as were his expectations for himself and his children, he knew that nothing was impossible. He believed we were capable and could achieve anything we wanted, so he expected hard work from all of us. But we also knew that he was always there right behind us, to catch us if we fell, pick us up and keep us going.

Dad loved to watch sports and although he spent most of his life on the side lines as a spectator, he loved the thrill of competition and the excitement of a close game. He would get up at crazy hours of the morning to watch A Formula 1 race live; enjoyed Sunday afternoon’s watching golf or football. He was ecstatic this Christmas when my Mom surprised him with a Big Screen TV so he could see it all in High def. He would often “suggest” that it would be great if dinner breaks coincided with the half time show and as always, my Mom was more than happy to oblige as she knew how much he enjoyed it.

Dad enjoyed his golf, let’s just say he was a much better businessman than he was a golfer. He was too honest to be a good golfer. He counted every stroke and I am certain that there were people who just couldn’t believe that he would actually take a 12 on a par 3 and admit to it. He enjoyed playing golf with Mom, his kids and grandchildren and his Tuesday & Saturday golf leagues. He always finished off his round by adding up his score, followed by a cold beer and a cheese burger in the garden at St. Charles.

He was a simple man who enjoyed a nice bottle of wine, a glass of scotch, and good food. He loved the warmth of his cashmere sweaters. He looked so great in his navy suit, crisp white shirt and his trademark - a striped tie. He loved my Mom’s Chocolate chip cookies, they tasted so good, but more than that because she made every batch with love.

Dad was resourceful. He was a King Scout in his youth and cherished this distinguished title with pride, bringing his uniform with him from Belgium when he came to Canada. This training came in handy in the 1950 Manitoba flood when he volunteered to direct emergency traffic, which he did, proudly wearing his Boy Scout uniform. It’s quite a visual actually. His hat still hangs on the wall in the basement of at my parent’s house.

Dad loved photography; and took so many beautiful pictures from all over the globe. We didn’t appreciate all the photo’s until we were older and would bring out the “slides” and have a family slide show. Looking at those pictures with the polyester leisure suits & the big hair, we would reminisce about trips, events and the stories kept getting better over the years. These were great times and the slides always were so fun. In fact we were planning another slide show on March 4th when he was to turn 80 and all the kids were to be home. I think we will still do it... he would have wanted that.

Dad travelled the world but always felt the best about coming home. While I am sure that it was frustrating at times for my Mom to want desperately to go on a vacation after being at home all the time, my Dad liked to stay close to home during his down time, as he was most happy there. He would say that nothing was as comfortable as his own bed, his surroundings and it is a testament to the joy and comfort he experienced just being with my Mom in the home he loved so much.

Family was so important to him. When he came to Canada , he made every effort to keep the connection with his family back in Belgium. The computer made it so much easier for him in the last few years as he could send emails and pictures to his family, so he felt closer. He never forgot a birthday, an anniversary no matter where he was. Even a quick phone call to acknowledge the day proved that he was thinking of you. While he became a Canadian citizen, he always carried his Belgium roots close to his heart and made sure that each of us visited Belgium as children on our own, to learn more about his life, his culture and his family.

He was immensely proud of each of his six children for their own special talents and skills. Our relationships with our dad were as unique as we are and he loved us so very much. He could always be counted on to provide advice and guidance and for that we are grateful.

My father loved my mother more than anything else and they shared 52 wonderful years together. They were truly sole mates and shared a great life. She will miss him so much but had the privilege to hold him in her arms until the very end. While he was not the demonstrative type, you always knew that deep down inside he loved us more than anything. You could just see it in those eyes and you just knew how he felt.

Sunday night family dinners with our spouses were a tradition and we would pack as many as we could around the dining room table – a table that came from his parents house in Belgium after they passed on. We always enjoyed a great meal and glass of good wine. When he retired, he told us that he was going to be on a ‘fixed income” and that he would have down grade from the expensive wine at these gatherings... but somehow he always managed to have a ‘stash’ of the good stuff that we could enjoy.

Bon Papa as he was known to his 15 grandchildren were a source of great joy and pride and each one of them have their own special memories. He loved going to watch them play their sports, dance competitions or school concerts. He did his very best to get to as many events as he could and despite the outcome, he always was thrilled and honoured to be in the stands. For his grandchildren who lived in other cities, it was very hard for him and mom to be away from them, but he enjoyed his visits to their homes to spend days of uninterrupted time, one-on-one with them so that he could concentrate only on them, in their environment and he loved it.

Dad left home at 18 years old and knew what it was like to be alone, so he always made sure that others were not alone if he could help it. He welcomed anyone and everyone in our home, and while sometime it was awkward to have a complete stranger at the dinner table, he knew how important it was to open your home and your hearts.

He encouraged us to push ourselves and to be successful, but more importantly to be honest, loyal and independent. He’d say “remember your faith, remember your roots, remember that there is always someone who needs help and is worse off than you”.

What’s important is not what you accumulate, but those few things that you can carry with you when you go. My dad was fortunate and enjoyed so many things in his life, material, spiritual and wonderful relationships. We know that he has carried with him to heaven, the love of his family, a honest life and deep faith - you really can’t ask anything more than that.

While we will miss him terribly, he lives in all our hearts and in the way we approach every day. And when we get sad and miss him, we just need to look up to the blue sky like we are looking into those beautiful blue eye’s and see Dad smiling down upon us. He has left a tremendous family legacy and we are all so honoured to be Soubry’s.

We loved him so much, but more than that - we were given the privilege of being loved by him .

God Bless you Dad

Marina McGlenen

February 27, 2010

Thanks Marina. It’s an honour for us to say a few words about our Dad.

Paul Soubry was not only my father, but my mentor and my coach. Actually he was my Hero. I’m so tremendously blessed to have been named after him. My wife Christine and I, in-turn named our son after him. My Dad and I would often joke “we’ll need to keep making Paul Soubry’s until one of us is rich and famous… and so far we are zero for two”.

It was 2:30 am last Saturday night. I was at the hospital, sitting alone in his room. Just the two of us. He was quiet, breathing heavy, but he looked comfortable. I’m working on my laptop, getting caught up on my emails. A few times throughout the night I’d pause - I wanted to ask him a question as I had done some any times before. It hit me hard. I’ve been working for 26 years and I can’t think of one big decision that I’ve had to make where I didn’t seek his advice. I was sad.

Then I started to think about that special relationship we had. He never once gave me a direct answer or specific advice. Rather he asked questions. He taught me how to think. How to seek understanding. How to be diplomatic. How to make decisions.

When I would ask him point blank: What would you do? He’d say the same thing every time: “Know who your stakeholders are... Customers. Shareholders. And most important - your employees – treat those who work with you and for you with honour and respect. They are counting on you and so are their families”. Then he’d say “Do what you think is right.. use your head, but follow your heart… trust your gut”.

The conversation always ended with him reminding me about the ‘Newspaper Rule’. He’d say…“How would you feel if you read about something you’ve done in the newspaper”. I’d look at the ceiling and think about it….then he’d chuckle and say “Even worse, make sure you can you explain it to your Mother”.

I was troubled. Now who do I go to for advice? And even though my sisters think that I have ice in my veins, I had a good cry. Then it occurred to me. The torch has been passed. I guess it’s now time for his children to teach our children the same lessons. He was truly a Patriarch.

I have been very fortunate to travel extensively across Canada and the US and I can’t tell you how many times people see my name and ask me if I was related to Paul Soubry. “Yup that’s my Dad”. Sure feels good. He treated everyone with respect. His boss, his peers, his subordinates and even the people far below him in the organization. He looked people in the eye, shook their hands and always said thank you. When he made tough decisions, I wish the people affected could have seen him. He worried about their livelihood and their families. Last year at my very first meeting with the union leadership at New Flyer, the regional executive of the CAW opened up the meeting by saying “We don’t know you - but we’re giving you the benefit of the doubt – and only because your Dad treated us so well at Versatile”. A fantastic compliment.

Boy, did I ever want to be like my Dad. When I was a kid, I’d put on his black leather soled shoes (impeccably shown, I might add) and walk around the house on the hard floors. Clip clop, clip clop, clip clop. My bothers and sisters can confirm I was a rather odd child. Even today, whenever I walk on a hard surface with leather soled shoes and I can hear that noise. It brings a smile to my face.

Dad didn’t say much. But his steel blue eyes told you all you what you wanted to know. He never raised his voice. Never said a bad word - although he used few Flemish words once in a while that none of us really understood. We’d marvel at how he could skip from English to French to Flemish to Dutch to German and other languages so quickly.

He was always so frugal with his hard earned dollars. It was all about everyone else. Never about him. My brothers and I fondly remember our annual pilgrimage to Lockington Sports in Brantford, Ontario for new skates just prior to hockey season. Bauer Black Panthers were the skate of choice. Not sure he could afford them, but he wanted his kids to have the very best – and so we did.

Watching my Dad and Mom pray in church was something special. They’d both close their eyes, make the sign of the cross and pray deeply. What focus! What concentration! When I was a little (I’m told that I was definitely a handful) my Mom used to say “that she had a direct line to God… plus she had a few Saints working on my case…”. My Dad would look over, signal a “Shhh” and say sternly “she’s not kidding”.

At 22, Dad was boarding with a family in Winnipeg, and had just started at Cockshutt Plow Company as a Sales Trainee. He told them that “by age 45 he would be President”. They thought he was crazy. When he became President at 46 his response was honest: “I guess they were right, I missed it by one year”.

Dad really only had two jobs. He was immensely loyal to his employers in both good times and bad. His view “a true Captain never abandons his men, nor his ship”. After he retired from Versatile, countless local, provincial, and federal advisory committees, plus numerous trade associations, we convinced him to start his own consulting practice. I was excited for him – “Dad now you can really make some money sharing all your knowledge and expertise”. Truth is he never really liked the consulting - he wanted to be in the game, not watching it. He had decided it was time to give back to the community that gave him a chance.

He ultimately chaired both the Board of Directors of the Victoria General Hospital Foundation and the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba. I thought he was nuts. I asked him: what about making some money? I even quoted one of his favorite expressions “you make hay while the sun shines”. Why would you do that? His response was very humbling: “Because I know I can make a difference”. My Mom says the University of Manitoba became his seventh child.

He was so proud of his accomplishments, but we knew it bothered him that he didn’t have University degree. In 2002, he was awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2003 the University of Manitoba presented him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (Dr. Paul M. Soubry). In Dad’s address he said “Perfect strangers had enough trust and confidence in me that they were willing to give an immigrant without a formal post secondary education a chance. While I worked hard and was totally dedicated to my job, I owe everything to the many people along the way who gave me a chance.”

In 2005, Lesley Hughes wrote a book titled “We Chose Canada” about immigrants who came to our great country. She summarized Dad very succinctly: “He distinguished himself as an icon of management, a master of the export business, a one man economic engine and the very spirit of volunteerism and community service.”

Dad was impressively private. He accepted his challenge with Parkinson’s, but hated that it started to control his body. He handled it with grace and dignity. I think this wonderful prayer truly reflected his outlook on life ”God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference”.

After Dad retired he always worried about his heart. I’m sure his medical file is the thickest that his GP has ever seen. The irony is after his fall last week, while his brain may have been damaged, his heart kept beating for days. He refused to give up. He used to say “You can’t teach heart”.

Soubry’s aren’t the most obvious clan with our affection. Just ask our spouses, or you can ask my Mom. Public Displays of Affection (or we called them PDA’s) never really happened in our house. For 46 years I shook my Dad’s hand every time I’d see him. This past year he started hugging me when I left his house. It was different. Sure felt good.

He’d always say how proud he was of his family. Dad, it’s our turn to say thank you and how proud we are of you! We’ve received so many notes, cards and letters since your passing, so I wanted to share a few wonderful quotes:

• “Paul was an exceptional volunteer and true gentleman”

• “One of the most impressive people I have had the pleasure to know. He exuded incredible strength & integrity”.

• “Paul set the standard for professionalism and preparedness. He always contributed.”

• “Paul always put the well being of others before himself”

• “Paul was one of the best human beings I’ve ever known. Not enough guys like him around these days”.

Dad, I hope that I can be half the businessman, the father, the husband, the sibling, the friend, the community leader that you have been. They say our time on earth is well spent if we leave the world a better place then when we came. There is no question, that our Dad did just that.

Love ya Dad.

Paul Soubry Jr II

February 27, 2010

* * * * * * * * * *

DR. PAUL M. SOUBRY LLD

Dr. Paul M. Soubry LLD on February 23, 2010 at the Health Sciences Centre. Paul Soubry died peacefully in the arms of his wife and family at the age of 79 years. Paul was predeceased by his parents Reginald and Jeanne Soubry.

Paul is survived by his wife and soul mate of 52 years Louise and his six children with 15 grandchildren , Mark (Sonia, Cedric and Nicolas ), Greg (Judy, Remy and Claire), Ann Lovell (John, Marina, Victoria and John Paul), Paul Jr (Christine, Paul III and Madeline ), Marina McGlenen (Stephen, Nicole and Katie ), Veronique Kossuth (Guy, Reginald, Gabrielle, Brigitte and Gregory). He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Jaqueline (Rene), Nanette (Rene) John Pierre (Monique), Marina (Leon) and Marc (Claire) and numerous nieces and nephews, brothers and sister-in-law in Canada and Belgium.

Paul was born on March 4, 1930 in Bruges Belgium.He immigrated to Canada in October 1948. In 1951 he started a career with Cockshutt Plow travelling extensively throughout the world in various positions. Cockshutt was acquired by White Farm equipment and he worked his way through the ranks and ultimately became President of the Canadian operations in Brantford Ontario. In 1977 he joined Versatile Manufacturing in Winnipeg as President and CEO where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Paul was actively involved in many local, Provincial and Federal related endeavors to promote domestic manufacturing and exports throughout his career in the farm implement industry . These included Chairman Canadian Farm and Industrial Institute, Chairman Prairie Implement Manufactures Associations, Vice Chairman Canadian Industrial Renewal Board, Transportation Sectoral Advisory Group for International Trade, Chairman Canadian Exporters Association

In his retirement years he spent countless hours giving back to the country and the community that gave him opportunity. These included involvement on many Boards and committees too many to mention. He served as Chairman of the Victoria Hospital Board of Trustees and Chairman of the University of Manitoba Board of Governors for 5 years.

He was awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and awarded a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 2003. He was inducted into the Canadian Manufacturers’ and Exporters Hall of Fame –Manitoba Division in 2006.

Paul was devoted to his wife and family. A man of exceptional character, he committed to the pursuit of excellence in whatever task he did. No problem could not be solved and every challenge was seen as an opportunity. A man of strong Catholic faith, he demonstrated this in his actions everyday in both his professional and personal life. He was committed to setting an example of the benefits of hard work, honesty, fairness and dedication for his children and grandchildren. A true gentlemen in every sense of the word. He was immensely proud of his wife and each of his children for their own unique talents and skills . He could always be counted on to provide advice and guidance. Bonpapa as he was known to his grandchildren could be seen often cheering them on in their various sports or academic endeavors. They loved him dearly, admired him and he will be sadly missed.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the Winnipeg Paramedic Service, the staff of the Health Sciences Centre SICU, Dr Silvaggio, Dr Rasskozoff, nurses, Lisa, Felix , Tammy, Claire, Susan and Donna for their kindness and compassion.

Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, February 27th at 10:00 am in St. John Brebeuf Parish Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place (at Lanark), Winnipeg, Manitoba.

To keep his spirit and example alive for others to benefit, a Scholarship fund will be created. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Paul Soubry Scholarship Fund. University of Manitoba c/o Department of Development, 179 Extended Education Complex, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, 204- 474-9195