René Levi Joseph Collette

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we have lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear not forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

Minister's Message

Anyone visiting René’s home would be struck by the image of wolves, wolves everywhere, on plates hanging on walls, paintings of wolves, wolves on the T shirt Murielle was wearing. So, I asked, “What’s with the wolves?” She answered, “Wolves mate for life. They remind me of the love we have. We had hoped for a long marriage. ” With René leaving us at 56 years of age it is only natural to think only of all the time we might have had together. I’m sure for every wolf there was a wonderful memory. One can never have too many reminders how we were loved.

René grew up in St. Jean Baptiste. After graduation he moved to the city. He began working for the Manitoba Motor Vehicle Branch, now known as Driver and Vehicle Licencing from September 1972 to April 2009. As with many things in life that change so did René’s many roles. His early positions included Vehicle Refunds Clerk, Mailroom Courier, Stockroom Clerk, Information Center Supervisor and Driver Licencing Counter Supervisor. As a Liaison Officer René was one of 3 who provided direction on driver licence policy and procedures to more than 200 driver licencing agents and DVL offices throughout the province. This provided the opportunity for René to partake in many new initiatives such as the Y2K Task Force, and the Graduated Driver Licence Program rollout.

In 2003 René was tasked with creating and delivering a Fraudulent Documents Recognition Training package for all Manitoba Driver Licence issuers. His expertise in the area of fraudulent document recognition earned him a seat on the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators Document Security Working Group. This resulted in his participation in the development of the Canadian version of the Approved Verifiable Resource List, which sets the Canadian wide standards for the driver’s licence identity verification.

By this time René had earned the respect and recognition from his counterparts throughout North America. His expertise in this field was evident as he became 1 of only 2 Canadian Certified Chief Trainers for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. René later joined the newly created unit within Manitoba Public Insurance as the identity Verification Specialist/Fraudulent Documents Recognition Trainer where his certification and skills were highlighted as the key resource for identity document verification and playing a key role in the development of identity verification processes and procedures. This was René’s last position before he decided to embark on a new adventure-some called it retirement.

I thank Murielle for this work history. Today, we gather as family and fellow workers to be family for each other. René’s immediate family was four years in the making until he and Murielle stopped dating and were married July 23rd, 1977 or five years after René began his employment with the province. As daughters Christine and Marie recalled “Basically Mom received what she wanted from the love of her life.” You were family in the best sense of the word as René loved doing things with his girls like Miniature golf. He was a sentimental sort as the score card from this game was kept from 1988. He secretly packed away other family heirlooms to remind him of his wonderful family with his girl’s baby teeth and then his grandchildren’s teeth stored as keepsakes after the tooth fairy had inspected them. In later years as a Pepère at Christmas he was responsible for getting Santa Claus into his suit. Santa tripped coming down the stairs because his glasses were foggy but even if he scared the daylights out of the kids it was precious moments like this you will treasure as keepsakes. He always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye leaving the impression he was up to some mischief. When you sent Pepère to the store for sour cream the kids usually always came back with a stick of gum. He had his priorities straight. You enjoyed kids while you had the energy to watch them grow up. Then, you could still cherish the birth of grandchildren. He loved doing crafts with them. When they made him special T shirts he’d wear them until he was forced to either take them off to wash or store them in the bottom of a drawer when they began to be frayed. He even kept tin cans with construction paper glued to them. It was like he never wanted his memories with his family to fade.

Jesus was 33 years of age when he died. It’s said the Church couldn’t celebrate His birth (or Christmas) until the last person who had known Him while He was alive had died. Now we also know it’s not easy to move beyond loss and death. The Church learned to take little steps by focusing on the sacrificial love Christ had offered the world. Even his death on a cross in time became a symbol of suffering love. Jesus followers, recalling their Jewish roots recalled how their ancestors felt in their state of disorder and loneliness in having their life turned upside down. As exiled Jews pondered the loss of Jerusalem so Christians pondered the death of Jesus. Still, they chose to see themselves not as victims or forgotten by God but as part of a family where the love Jesus had spread would continue to help them. As the Christian community remembered the one who had been so involved in making the world a better place to live they found their new life in following in his footsteps. It seemed wherever they were Christ was speaking to them of his love for them and how they were to love each other.

They may have read Psalm 121 written by pilgrims as they set out on a journey over high hills and through deep valleys and rugged terrain that was Israel. Like René they were camped. They were close to nature. They understood life is filled with risk and uncertainty and frailty. No one ever knows what lurks around the next corner or the danger that lies beyond our sight. They felt more comfortable repeating as one, “I lift up my eyes to the hills-from where will my help come?” Then they would answer, “My help comes from…” the One who gave me life. “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Eventually they became friends with their fears. They could proclaim, “The sun shall not strike thee by day; nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil. “Then, trusting the Creator was with them in their living and their dying pilgrims would chant on their pilgrimage, “The Lord will keep your going out and you’re coming in from this time on and forever more.” They chose to accept the facts of life, take hold of the courage they had to face their fears.

Now, you will be grateful you did marry so young and your wonderful daughters were born when you were younger so René could enjoy his grandchildren as much as he did. We don’t know how God will bless us until we learn to trust in the love that lingers midst times of disappointment; trust in the love no terror of the day or night can take away.

In time Christians became known as ‘an Easter people.’ They recognized Jesus was no longer dead or buried but He had been lifted up to be with the One with them, giving them life from the love they would never forget. I hope you will also find comfort in remembering how René was remembered in a few lines take from some of the emails you received.

From Michael and April, “He was also a good friend and I will miss hearing from him via e mail. It was certainly a wonderful time when you all made the trip up to Yellowknife with the motor home.” Matt Thompson, Shelly Jackson and others wrote, “He was such a wonderful and kind person.” Shelly wrote, “He used to send me pictures of where he traveled to, the grandkids and jokes that would bring tears to my eyes. But hearing of his passing has yet again brought tears to my eyes.” Many sent reminders René’s family would be in their thoughts and prayers. Melody Barron wrote, “This is shocking news. He just retired. It’s not supposed to be like this.” Dave Barham echoed previous thoughts with “To say I’m in shock is an understatement. René was a great guy and a great friend and will be missed by many.” Rick Vantour, “I am soo sorry. What the hell, that’s not right. This hit me hard. I am so shocked. I wish I could hug you and be there.” Dan Coyle wrote, “I remember René as a very dedicated staff member, his breadth of knowledge particularly in the licensing field, his courteous attitude and his being a good person. Try to be guided by the good memories both of you and he enjoyed over the years.” Carmelle Ricard-Sargent recalled, “I’ve known René since 1981. He always had some joke to tell. Today, thinking back it makes me smile.” June Neal wrote, “Hopefully he will find another group of card players luck us.” Shirley Tam, “It seems like yesterday that I would pass him in the hallway and ask him how many more days there were until his retirement (this started when it was a three digit number). I will always remember his great sense of humour, caring demeanor and how proud he was to be a grandpa.” Marie MacNeish, “This is a complete shock to me. Rene always no matter what never complained even if he felt a little ill. I know it’s so hard when death is so sudden as this.” Heather wrote, “René was a good man. He took me under his wing many times when we went to Ottawa. He spoke very, very highly of his family. I and many others will miss him terribly.” Donna Meyer, “O Lord, Murielle I am so sorry. I’m just crying. My prayers are with you and the family as nothing meant more to him.” Pat Ledieu, “He was a pleasure to work with and just a very nice person. He will certainly be missed by his former co-workers, his breakfast club and golfing buddies.” Lauran Barkley-McKeeman, “I know we only spoke once on the phone but René spoke so fondly of you as the love of his life that I feel I know you as well. Family was so important to him. A good father and grandfather. A very passionate man.” Adam,” I knew René casually, mostly through golf and was glad to be his golf partner. We seldom ended up winning trophies or prizes but we did have a lot of fun. René was a great cook. We would golf at Steinbach or some other course and René would arrive at the course with a picnic lunch, including sandwiches made from bread or buns that he had baked that morning.”

We can let this tragedy overwhelm us, surrender to its powers of disappointment and grief or we can re-evaluate, recall, discover new ways to be thankful for all you had in the years you were given and learn to treasure those times. As the apostle Paul wrote “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”

The poet Kahil Gibran wrote, “Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” Life may not always seem to be fair. But if our love is real it will last forever, and ultimately lead us to places where we will find peace, serenity with life as it is, a reminder we were loved deeply, even at the cost of pain.

Read By René's Grandchildren:

Dominique: We were going to give Pepère this plaque on Father’s day. Since he went up to heaven, we’re going to read this aloud so he can hear us.

Dominique, Stephanie & Gabriel:

“A Pepère is

A little bit parent,

A little bit teacher,

And a lot best friend”

Gabriel: Pepère, I hope you know that we all miss and love you very much.

Stephanie: Pepère, we know that those who are in this room and those who could not make it today to this celebration of life love and miss you!

Dominique: We all thank you for coming to share this day and your wonderful memories with us.

Eulogy By Don Dupuis and Bruce Halbert:

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Don Dupuis and the big fella standing next to me is Bruce Halbert. We were both honored by René’s family to speak about our René the husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, and to try to provide everyone with an idea of just who René was. I met René when we were both in grade 1. Yes that was a long time ago, 50 years to be exact. We became fast friends all through school and in 1972 when we moved to the big city and I began my first job I met Bruce. Given that any friend of mine was René’s friend so then began the friendship that Bruce and René created and which lasted to this day.

René Levi Joseph Collette was born on January 7, 1954, at St. Pierre-Jolys Hospital in St. Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba. His parents are Roland and Vivienne. René was raised in Dufrost for the first six years and then moved to St. Jean Baptiste. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, René could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

“Anything is possible” seemed to be his belief. That is what René believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. Often that meant he would call Bruce or myself. To give him credit though he most often only needed us for moral support or to have someone to point at if it didn’t work. He had faith in his ability to find most solutions. René thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked sometimes to the point of not knowing how to put it back together. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. René was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do and if he couldn’t do it he knew someone who could.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on René’s family relationships. René was raised with five siblings. He has one sister Solange and brothers Aurèle, Jacques, Luc and Louis. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, René was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, René could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. He was a Boy Scout (achieving Queen Scout status), 4H Club member and an Army Cadet. René took part in basketball and curling during his high school years. In his spare time he liked to read and spend time with friends.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, René enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. René was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from St. Jean Baptiste Collegiate in 1972. He excelled more in some courses than others. His favorite class in high school was English Literature and he also loved spares. His favourite teacher was always the one that would give him the best grades.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, René performed well in school. Not great but well. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience not necessarily for school related activities. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He earned his Public Sector Management certificate in 1991 during which he met his favorite professor, former Premier Howard Pawley.

René was a very outgoing person who loved to meet people. This drew a lively and varied circle of friends. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, René was always willing to voice his opinion whether or not it was sought. Most often he was very supportive. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found René to be very stimulating company. René’s humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. He was always quick in both verbal and physical pranks. He had a vast circle of great friends across Canada the U. S. and Germany whom he had met throughout his life and through his varied associations.

On July 23, 1977, René exchanged wedding vows with Murielle Touchette at St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church in St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba. After 37 years together, nearly 33 of which were married years, René and Murielle had a great relationship. The relationship got even better when René learned to listen to the voices in his wife’s head. Seriously, over the years they both felt comfortable enough in expressing their views and feelings towards each other in all situations. René was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. René was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond appropriately or not. He was a vibrant person and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Murielle. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that René loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Murielle's. He definitely learned to recognize when Murielle was “not pleased”.

René's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Especially if it meant that he didn’t have to do it himself. René was blessed with two daughters Christine and Marie. They were also blessed with three granddaughters Dominique, Stephanie and Olivia and one grandson Gabriel. Someone who was quick to laugh, René found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them. René’s girls blessed him with a new childhood. The first granddaughter Dominique was like a new lease on life. Then came Stephanie, Gabriel and to round out the package of 4 fantastic grandchildren was little Olivia. René was quick to tell anyone who listened or even those who didn’t want to listen all about his grandkids. He had a big wallet not so much for carrying cash but for carrying pictures of the grandkids.

Through his association with the Army Cadets René developed his leadership skills to the point of achieving the rank of Captain of his cadet core and then became an Army Cadet instructor also attaining the rank of Captain. This became a precursor to him achieving his skills and dedication that he brought to the work place.

René was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. René was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him.

René’s 37 year career with Manitoba’s Motor Vehicle Branch, now known as Driver and Vehicle Licencing, spanned from September 1972 to April 2009. As with many things in life that change, so did René’s many roles. His early positions included Vehicle Refunds Clerk, Mailroom Courier, Stockroom Clerk, Information Centre Supervisor, and Driver Licensing Front Counter Supervisor. As a Liaison Officer, René was one of 3 who provided direction on driver licence policy and procedures to more than 200 driver licencing agents and DVL offices throughout the province. This position also provided the opportunity for René to partake in many new initiatives such as the Y2K Task Force, and the Graduated Driver License Program rollout.

In 2003, René was tasked with creating and delivering a Fraudulent Documents Recognition Training package for all Manitoba driver licence issuers. His expertise in the area of fraudulent document recognition earned him a seat on the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators’ (CCMTA) Document Security Working Group. This resulted in his participation in the development of the Canadian version of the Approved Verifiable Resource List, which sets the Canadian-wide standards for the driver’s licence identity verification.

By this time, René had earned the respect and recognition from his counterparts throughout North America. His expertise in this field was evident as he became 1 of only 2 Canadian Certified Chief Trainers for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). René later joined the newly created unit within Manitoba Public Insurance as the Identity Verification Specialist/Fraudulent Documents Recognition Trainer where his certification and skills were highlighted as the key resource for identity document verification and playing a key role in the development of identity verification processes and procedures. This was René’s last position before he decided to embark on a new adventure – some called it retirement.

Since René was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed new interests and leisure pursuits. For several years, René was an active member of the Tuesday night golf league and attended card parties with friends from work. He learned to develop new swings and developed a new system of keeping score. Some of his other favorite pursuits were reading, the morning crossword, the History Channel and old movies. Can you whistle the theme to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”? Well, if Murielle could whistle she knows every pitch.

René's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, René played basketball and curling. René was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were curling and baseball. He used to really enjoy the old “Hockey Night In Canada” games before the NHL expansion. Murielle can attest to his avid participation as she did find herself being startled whenever there was a goal for the good team and even the bad team. Just a different verbal response if you know what I mean.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued René. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for René to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations were camping with the kids and travelling to Arizona and Cuba. I’m told by Murielle that René will continue to travel with her for years to come.

Even while in retirement, René never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. He continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances.

René passed away suddenly on May 28, 2010, at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Murielle; daughters Christine (Steven) and Marie; grandchildren Dominique, Stephanie, Gabriel and Olivia. He is survived by his mother, Vivienne Collette; father, Roland Collette; Murielle’s parents, Donat and Denise Touchette; brothers and sister; Aurèle (Patty), Solange (Gérald), Jacques (Heather), Luc (Jacqueline) and Louis; brother and sisters-in-law, Serge (Carmela) and Yvonne; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Alain Touchette.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to René. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. René was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For René, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For René Collette, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

Read By Sister Solange Bourgeois

Prière de St François d'Assise!

Seigneur,

Faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.

Là où est la haine, que je mette l'amour.

Là où est l'offense, que je mette le pardon.

Là où est la discorde, que je mette l'union.

Là où est l'erreur, que je mette la vérité.

Là où est le doute, que je mette la foi.

Là où est le désespoir, que je mette l'espérance.

Là où sont les ténèbres, que je mette la lumière.

Là où est la tristesse, que je mette la joie.

Faites que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé que de consoler,

D'être compris que de comprendre.

D'être aimé que d'aimer.

Parce que

C'est en donnant que l'on reçoit,

C'est en s'oubliant soi-même qu'on se retrouve

C'est en pardonnant qu'on obtient le pardon.

C'est en mourant que l'on ressuscite à l'éternelle vie.

Read By René's Daughters Christine and Marie

In tears we saw you sinking

We watched you fade away,

You suffered much in silence

You fought so hard to stay.

You faced your task with courage

Your spirit did not bend,

But still you kept on fighting

Until the very end.

God saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be,

So He put his arms around you

And whispered “Come with me.”

So when we saw you sleeping

So peaceful free from pain,

We could not wish you back

To suffer that again.

Our family chain is broken

And nothing seems the same,

As God calls us one by one

Our chain will link again.

* * * * * * * * * *

René Levi Joseph Collette

January 7, 1954 – May 28, 2010

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of René with his family by his side on May 28, 2010, at the age of 56 years at St. Boniface Hospital.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Murielle; daughters Christine (Steven) and Marie; grandchildren Dominique, Stephanie, Gabriel and Olivia.

He is survived by his mother, Vivienne Collette; father, Roland Collette; Murielle’s parents, Donat and Denise Touchette; brothers and sister; Aurèle (Patty), Solange (Gérald), Jacques (Heather), Luc (Jacqueline) and Louis; brother and sisters-in-law, Serge (Carmela) and Yvonne; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Alain Touchette.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd.

We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Victoria General Hospital and St. Boniface General Hospital for their wonderful care and assistance through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation or Canadian Diabetes Association.