Robert Brouillard

June 22, 1933-October 18, 2017

Our hearts are heavy and our tears are many as we announce the peaceful passing of our dad, Robert André Brouillard, on October 18, 2017, surrounded by his family. We know Dad is no longer suffering and we hope he is casting his fishing rod off the shores of a small, quiet lake in heaven, holding our mom’s hand, and smiling.

He was predeceased by his wife, Claudette, in 1974, as well as his parents, Arthur and Juliette, his six brothers, and five sisters, his in-laws Alfred and Gracia Turpin, Roberta and Gerry Paiement, Diane Andrusky, Conrad Andrusky, and Gerard Turpin.

He will be forever loved and missed by his children Robin, Guy (Cheryl), Gail (Pat), and Gina (Greg), as well as his one remaining sister, Estelle, his nephew Pierre, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren have many happy memories of being spoiled (and teased!). Missing him are Tracey, Angela, Joshua (Erin), Shauna (Chris), Michelle (Colin), Jared (Daiana), André (Glenna), Jeremy (Jessica), Chantelle (Mitch) and Luc (Crystal).

Dad loved kids and babies and was so happy when his great-grandchildren Amber, Evan, Ethan, Henri, Liev, Lumi, Hope, Aria, and Atlas would come to visit. Although he didn’t get to see them often, he also had a place in his heart for his great-grandchildren Dakota, Gabe, Zach, Raija, Kai, Brady, Jesse, Madison, and Jadyn.

Dad was born on June 22, 1933 on his family farm in Laverlochere, Quebec. He grew up doing chores of all kinds on the farm, and got into all sorts of mischief with his brothers.

In the early 50s, he came to Ontario with his brother, Real, looking for work. Along with work, he also found love when he met Mom at a restaurant in Dryden where she worked as a waitress. Pretty sure Mom must have made the first move, because Dad was pretty shy. Luckily, she was also French because Dad didn’t speak a word of English at the time, except for “hot turkey sandwich”.

Dad was a lumberjack, best known by his nickname, Bulldog, which was given to him as a child. He worked with Real in the bush with swede saws and horses, and later with his son, Guy, using skidders and power saws. He gained a reputation of being a hard worker with a very strong work ethic. He worked for many different contractors over the years, and was able to retire at age 52 to enjoy fishing, hunting partridges, and spending time with his family.

Dad’s favourite holiday was Christmas. Every year, our family would gather at his house on Christmas Eve to open presents and share laughter. Dad was still giddy like a little kid when he opened his presents, but he also loved giving gifts to his kids, grand-children and great grand-children.

Dad smelled of Irish Spring soap and Old Spice. His laughter filled the room, he made everyone laugh, and he was never happier than when his home was filled with his family.

He loved O’Henry bars, instant coffee, and Buster Bars from Dairy Queen. He loved pie and cookies and doughnuts, tomatoes and yellow beans. And he especially loved Auntie Odile’s sucre à la crème.

When he was younger, he wore tank tops that showed off his muscles and his bulldog tattoo. He smoked cigarettes that his grandchildren rolled for him, and drank Labatt 50. Remarkably, he quit smoking cold turkey when he was 70.

Over the years, Dad opened his home and his heart to many people who were down on their luck. He was a generous, kind, honest, funny man. He packed a lot of living into his 84 years.

We will all miss him so much.

Parti, mais jamais oublié.

Friends and family are welcome to join us for Dad’s Celebration of Life and luncheon at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Tuesday, October 24 at 1 p.m. Immediate family will meet at Lake of the Woods Cemetery for a graveside service following the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the Kenora Rotary Club, specifically for the Splash Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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