Born in family of very modest means on September 25th, 1934 in Saint-Joseph-de-Lepage, County of Rimouski, Quebec to Maria Landry and Philippe Heppell, Rénald Heppell was the third of four children. He had two older brothers and a younger half-sister. He experienced a series of tragedies and losses that would shape his hardworking and resilient demeanor, starting at only 18 months old with the death of his mother. After the death of his father at the age of 7, Rénald and his older brothers Henrie and Adrien went on to live with their maternal uncle. Neglect and lack of stability led him to flee his uncle’s home at the age of 15 in search of work and a better life.
He married his elementary school sweetheart Rémonde Dugas in his 30s and they went on to have 4 children. While not boasting of a high school education, he always found work and never shied away from his duty to provide for his family. His work as a cook led him to travel throughout Quebec and Ontario and eventually to BC, bringing his family with him every step of the way.
He loved and was devoted to his children and grandchildren. On weekends they would gather around him and his wife on their rocking chairs like a patriarch and matriarch binding generations together and ensuring continuity of family unity. He cared little for material goods and cherished family and faith over all.
Rather than become hardened by the early challenges in his life, he was always selfless, caring and loving. In the face of difficulty, he remained calm, steady, stable and stoic like an immovable bolder in a windstorm, knowing that hard times will always pass and anchoring himself in his faith and devotion to God. He was strong and independent and did not like to burden his family.
Understanding full well the uncertainty of life, he took nothing for granted, clung to the things that mattered the most, lived modestly and never shied away from an adventure. In spite of his limited mobility, he insisted on attending family trips to Quebec, wineries in the Okanagan and other parts of BC. In 2017, he made his first and last trip to Europe, visiting several parts of France with his grandson Nick.
He left this world in peace on Saturday the 18th of June, 2022 at the age of 87 surrounded by his loved ones. His memory and strength of character will remain in their hearts and minds.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5