Arthur “Art” Bernard Belisle, known as Pépère by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away on May 28, 2019 at the Ste. Anne Hospital at the age of 90 years surrounded by family.
Left to remember all of his many stories are his children John (Rose) , Tony, Bonnie (Ray), grandchildren Clayton (Shelley), Edward (Sarah), Derek, Jeff (Stephaine), James, Roxanne (Jared), Jo-Ann (Brendan), Richard (Star) and great grandchildren Graham, Trinity, Vivian, Arthur, Braidey, Ryder, Zack, Will, Felicity, Ava and Jonas and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Art was predeceased by his wife Jeannette and his three brothers and three sisters.
Art was born January 4, 1929 to Henry and Anna Belisle in St. Boniface, MB. He was the youngest of seven siblings and the last one to be reunited with them. His family also liked to call him Archie.
As a young man he worked numerous jobs on farms and in the hotel business as an elevator operator. He worked for most of his adult life at Motor Coach Industries and retired in 1990 to care for Jeanette during her battle with cancer. During those 5 years before she passed, they spent many hours going to play BINGO and slot machines at the casino, which they both loved to do. Art cherished the time together with her.
Art also loved camping, fishing and travelling and would be up for any adventure or outing as long as it meant spending time with his family and friends. Art loved to fish with his family and truth be told he was not very good at it. He could be found in the front of the boat napping with nothing more than a weight on his line. No hook. For him it was family time and outdoor adventures that drew him to go.
Pépère will be remembered for always smiling and having a positive attitude no matter what he was going through, having a heart of gold and wanting to help others in any way he could. He loved to bug his grandchildren and could take some teasing himself. He rather enjoyed being the one who got teased. He spent his last few years in the Le Chalet in La Broquerie where is he was known as a ladies’ man teasing all the women who worked and stayed there and telling stories over coffee. You knew a good story was coming when you heard him say “Did you know…”, he could go on and on.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 10 at 10 am at the Green Acres Funeral Home Highway 1 East at Navin Road in Winnipeg. The family wishes to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. Those wishing to remember Art may make a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society in his name.
