Pete Plante

Joseph (Pete) Plante August 10, 1925 – February 6, 2019 With family by his side, Pete passed away on February 6, 2019 at the age of 93. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his sister Annette (Plante) Romanek, his daughter Dorothy (Plante) Roy, his Sons Paul Plante and Jim Plante, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and his very special daughter-in-law Angela (Vanasse) Plante. He was predeceased by his parents Alphonse and Emma (Lafreniere) Plante, his sister Lillian (Plante) Shaw, his wife Helen (Simmons) Plante, his son Peter Plante and his infant son Matthew Plante. Pete was born on August 10, 1925 in St. Claude, Manitoba. At the age of four, he and his mother and father and two sisters moved to Kenora where they lived on Coney Island and ran the concession. In 1942 at the age of 17, Pete joined the Navy as a telegrapher. When the war ended in 1945, he was on a convoy to Europe and was responsible for relaying the message that the war was over to following convoys so that the news would reach Canada. In 1934 Pete's father Alphonse bought a bus and began Excel Coach Lines. When Pete took over the business in 1954, the fleet had grown to 15 buses. For the next 30 years, he grew the company and by the time of his retirement in 1984, the fleet consisted of 56 vehicles. Pete remained active in the company after his retirement driving school bus each day until the company was sold in 2001. Pete was also a very accomplished sign painter and cartoonist. He volunteered his talent to various community groups for their signs, event programs and had several of his cartoons published in the local newspaper. Pete loved the lake and spent many days fishing, visiting his sisters' cottages or just sitting on the beach with Helen and his children. As a veteran, he was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be greatly missed by his two granddaughters Jessica Plante and Rebecca (Plante) Neufeld. Their Gpa was very special to them and he loved them dearly. The family would like to acknowledge and thank all the nurses and staff at Pinecrest for all the care and attention they gave to Pete while he was a resident. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Rob Wittmeier and Father Blanchette for their help and guidance during this difficult time. In honor of Pete, donations to a charity of one's choice or to the Pinecrest Ladies Auxiliary would be appreciated. A Celebration of Pete's life will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Pinecrest Home in Kenora where Pete called home since 2016. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com. BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.