One year….. thought about you all day yesterday. And many days over the last 365. You are truly missed my friend.

Rino was an excellent teacher and community member. Both of my children were amongst his charges in their elementary school french-immersion. When Rino moved to the Junior High, then my kids were lucky enough to have classes with him again! His relationships with kids was very 'adult'; he expected the best from students, and they always strove to live up to his example.

 I remember that on Hallowe'en nights, we had to drive to Rino's neighbourhood just to go to his house, at our children's insistence. I believe that this was a common experience for many parents of Rino's students.

Many years after my kids finished school, and before Rino moved home to Quebec, when we would occasionally meet in town he would ask after them by name - he had an astonishing recall of student's names - and he was genuinely interested in his students' successes.

Rino was a genuine gift to the Lethbridge community. We were so fortunate to have him here for so many years, sharing his love of learning and life.



Josh, it is with great sadness of the news of your loss of Rino. He was a good natured man , respectful, good sense of humour, kind and always had time for family and friends. It’s been a long while since we had last touched base, . Please accept my sincere condolences, I know you will treasure the memories you both shared together.  Take care.   Terry Moses .. Coalhurst Alberta

Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you Uncle Josh. Everyone spoke so incredibly highly of Rino and we know he will
be deeply missed. May you be comforted with warm memories. 

Love Kristopher, Lacey, Tessa and Addison.

M. Villeneuve taught both my children at Ecole Agnes Davidson in Lethbridge. When my youngest was preparing for his school pictures that year he insisted he needed to wear a tie "so I look just like M. Villeneuve"! 

My deepest condolences to his husband, family, friends and colleagues. He will be fondly remembered by our family.

(Part 2)At Christmas time, Rino would come Christmas carolling with my church group.
We wore funny hats and he always enjoyed talking to the elderly people we sang too even for a few minutes. 
Dave and I went to Montreal to visit with Rino and Josh. All four of us spent time exploring Montreal- the shops, the restaurants and parks etc. Dave was running at that time and Rino took us into a wig store where Dave tried on a wig (for a costume for a run). First time we saw Dave with red hair.
I bought a striped shirt that I still wear today from Montreal that Rino helped pick out for me. We had a lot of fun and wished the time could be longer.
Rino was a one in a million friend. He had a spirit like no one else. He was friendly, funny and positive. I will never forget him. He gave me a plaque one time for my birthday that said “Actions speak louder than words”. I believe he lived that way. 
Dave and I wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to Josh and all of Rino’s family and friends. You all will be in our thoughts and our prayers today in the days to come.
Love,
Lorelle and David Cholka



Dear Josh, family and friends; (part 1)
It has taken me a while to know what to write to you about my friend Rino.
There are so many memories that I want to share but I will just share a few with you.
I first met Rino at a teacher’s workshop. It was a three day event. I had just moved to Agnes Davidson school and I did not know anyone there yet. When I went to the workshop the first day we were asked to get into groups. I hesitated because I did not know who to ask or where I fit in. Rino came up to me and even though his group already had enough people, he asked me to join their group.
Rino had that special quality to be able to see or observe that someone needed to be included. He was always so welcoming and I felt at home as soon as I met him.
From then on we became friends. I was lucky enough to spend time with him each day. We worked across the hall from each other- he in grade one and I in kindergarten. It was great. We shared resources, ideas and laughter. I had the privilege of working with him for 11 years. I loved the story he would share about when he first came to Alberta and was learning English. He was teaching a lower grade and he wanted them to go to the library on their own. He thought he was telling them to go “quietly” but instead he was using the wrong word and was saying to them “go quickly”. He kept repeating this and making the class do it over with the result of them almost running to the library! He had the ability to laugh at himself.
I found that we had some things in common. He liked to do creative activities and so did I. We shared a friendship that went beyond the classroom.  We began getting together each week at his house and doing stained glass art work. I looked forward to those evenings. 
We would invite each other over for supper or other meals. He liked to try new recipes. Sometimes we just went for walks or had a coffee. I remember when his mom was in Lethbridge, they came over to my house for tea.
Lorelle

We are so very sad to hear of Rino's passing. He was a kind, funny & smart  man and have fond memories of our cruise together.
Bill & Joanmarie Bier

Dear Josh,
Like Tammy, I wish I had known Rino. I heard wonderful stories of his fabulous chef skills and what a lovely person he was. Be strong as you know that Rino is watching and loving you from above. My heart is breaking for you and my love is with you now as always.
Cousin Connie 💔♥️

Adieu mon beau Rino! Tu as été un ami très précieux durant nos années en Alberta. Tu as été un phare pour nous tous! J'espère que ta lumière continuera de nous guider de là-haut! Je t'aime profondément mon ami et je te garde une place toute spéciale dans mon coeur!💞

Rino was my mentor teacher when I started my first year in 2003. He had a way of making everyone he met feel welcome and special. Rino encouraged me to take part in Le Conseil Français, an ATA Specialist Council. We made many trips to Edmonton meetings and had a lot of laughs. Rino played a huge part in helping me to develop my competency in French, and through him, I met more people who welcomed me into the francophone community where I got my foothold in a long and successful teaching career. He was an excellent teacher, a kind person, and a dedicated friend. I’ll sure miss him.

Toutes nos sympathies Johanne pour la perte de Rino tellement parti trop tôt , nous sommes vraiment sans mots. Robin et moi partageons la peine qui t’habite sûrement avec la perte de ton seul frère .
                       On pense à toi très fort 
               Simone et Robin  Villeneuve

Dear cousin Josh,
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have met Rino, as I only heard great things about what a kind and loving person he was. Sending you big hugs and all my love in this very difficult time. Love you so much cousin,
Tammy Wheatling


M. Villeneuve was my Grade 3 teacher at Agnes Davidson. He was a firm but kind teacher and I always felt a special connection with him because I walked past his home on my way to school every day. I still have a Christmas tree decoration that I made in class that year.  I realize now he was only in 20s at that time!  When I got older, I saw how well-respected he was by all his colleagues and friends, and that he made an effort to  stay connected to them as well as former students, even meeting up with them when they came out to Québec for a class trip years later! 

When you are a child, you don't really think about your teacher being a person with a life outside of their job, and it is wonderful and poignant to read people's tributes and to see that Rino had a good life full of love and friendship and wonderful experiences. 

I know that everyone who knew him will cherish his memory.  My sincere condolences to all of Rino's loved ones.

A friend on Earth, a friend in Heaven.  Will see you up there someday, my friend.

Johanne, Annie and Nicolas
I will be thinking of you at this difficult time I know how special
you all were to him. Take care


Rino has been a big part of our family since 1987 when he moved to Lethbridge  … I am so fortunate to have so many fond memories together over the years… we shared lots of adventures, laughs, card games, vacations , and celebrations along the way….big heart -loved life ♥️ My deepest sympathies to Josh and family

Dedicated to paying it forward… thank you Rino 💜

M. Villeneuve was a wonderful teacher! He taught our son  Grade 1 at Agnes Davidson (Lethbridge,Alberta). He had a big heart for the children and their families. He gave so much. For us, he will always be remembered for his big personality, strong voice,  his kind words and his big smile. 

Rino restera présent dans le coeur de tous ceux qui l'aimaient !perdre un être aussi exceptionnel que lui laissera un grand vide que même le temps ne saura combler!nous avons 40 ans d'amitié et nous en étions fiers....... et même la distance  ni le temps a su dissoudre cette grande amitié entre nous 2! Je pense à Josh ,Johanne et tes enfants et tous ceux de près ou de loin et je vous souhaite bon courage à chaque jour  et que Rino puisse vous porter dans votre peine et veiller sur  chacun de vous! Je T'aime Rino et toi qui t'es battu jusqu'au bout :je te souhaite le repos dont tu mérite tant.Sache que je ne t'oublierai jamais <3

C’est avec une grande tristesse que je perds mon ami Rino. Nous étions amis depuis le secondaire un. Nous avons vécu tant de choses ensemble. Je garderai que de bons souvenirs de lui. Surtout notre dernière rencontre en avril dernier dans sa maison. La vie nous a pris un ami empathique, généreux et unique . 
Mes condoléances à Josh et à Johanne ! 
Éric et Yves 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Rino Villeneuve

29 août 1964 – 5 juin 2022

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