It is with heavy hearts that the family of Rene Jean Pinel announce his passing on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the age of 90 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his only child, Melissa (Jared) Janis; grandchildren, Adelyn and Ryker; brothers, Ernest (Helen) Pinel and Marcel (Sheila) Pinel, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rene was predeceased by his wife Tillie, parents, Olivier and Bibiane, brothers, Raymond, Armand, and Maurice. Born in Ponteix, Saskatchewan on March 5, 1935, Rene was the eldest of six boys born to Olivier and Bibiane Pinel of Val Marie, Saskatchewan.
In 1942 Rene boarded at the Convent in Val Marie while attending grades 1 and 2 in the Little Red School. The family later moved into Val Marie and rented a house, after a few years they moved back to the farm. Rene attended school until grade 7 in Val Marie and grades 8 and 9 – in one year – at the Gravelbourg College. He started grade 10 in Val Marie, but he had to quit to help his dad on the farm.
At a very young age Rene and his brothers started operating farm machinery in the field and helping their dad with the threshing crew, working late into the fall before going back to school.
Years later Rene took a mechanics course in Edmonton with Chicago Vocational Training. He worked at many different jobs along with working on the family farm. He was employed in Val Marie, Regina, Ponteix, Edmonton, and Calgary; worked four winters of seismograph in the North West Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia, one winter at a Logging Camp in Holberg, B.C. at the north end of Vancouver Island, two summers on the #1 Trans Canada Highway at Rogers Pass B.C. and one summer on the Banff Jasper Highway.
Returning to the farm to work with his dad and brothers, they were able to purchase more land and bigger machinery. He stayed with his parents and Maurice on the farm until they moved to Swift Current in 1977. At this time Rene purchased his dad’s share of the farm.
Rene joined the Val Marie Square Dancing Club in 1976 and traveled to different clubs, including his favorite, the Swift Current Single Square Dancing Club. This is where he met Tillie Rose Erker, they were married July 2, 1977, in Swift Current. After marrying, Tillie joined Rene at his Val Marie farming and livestock operation, where they raised their daughter Melissa, born in 1981.
Rene was active with the Catholic Church in Val Marie, the Church Parish Council, and the Knights of Columbus. In the fall of 1999, following Melissa’s high school graduation, Rene and Tillie decided to sell the farm and livestock and move to Saskatoon. In Saskatoon Rene was active with the Catholic Church and the Briarwood Community. Rene and Tillie were able to do more traveling than when they were on the farm, which they enjoyed very much; especially their 2004 trip that took them from the west coast to east coast.
In 2017 Tillie was diagnosed with Parkinson's; she would slowly lose her mobility and balance. In early 2018 she was admitted to St. Ann's Home Long Term Care. Shortly after they would sell the house so Rene could move into the St. Ann's Residence Apartments, closer to Tillie, where they were able to share daily meals. Rene was a devoted husband and cared for everyone around him, especially Tillie and Maurice. After Tillie passed away in July 2023 and Maurice passed away in 2024, Rene made the move to St. Ann’s Place Apartments.
Rene and his daughter Melissa would take a number of special trips in his last years. First to Powell River and Tofino, BC for his brother Raymond’s funeral, then to his father’s home in Normandy, France, 30 years after his dad had last traveled there. After visiting the Pinel side of the family in France it was decided to make a trip to Quebec to experience the de Montigny side of the family history. One final trip was made this fall, to his family farm in Val Marie. Rene loved every minute of these trips.
Family and friends will gather for the Vigil of Prayer at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Both services will be at Holy Spirit Parish (114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon) with Fr. Michael Magaji as Celebrant. Rite of Committal to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200. To share memories or send condolences please visit www.mourningglory.ca.
