Mr. John Joseph Roland Presseau

John was Dad, Granddad, Great Granddad, Uncle and a friend to many. His early years and recollections were penned in his autobiography, which he compiled for his family in the late 1990's. From those writings, we see that his early childhood memories were made in Nova Scotia where his dad was employed at the Sterling Mine near Sydney as the superintendent and master machinist. John's parents and family returned to the province of Quebec in 1939 to another mine in Grand Calumet Island. This was the community where John eventually met and married Marie Ella Pigeon, the love of his life for 63 years until her passing in 2010. John and his family of five would often return to the island to visit both sets of grandparents especially in the years he was stationed at nearby RCAF base in Ottawa, Ontario.

His military career began in 1944 when he first joined the Navy and was posted to Scotland and Ireland, returning to Halifax onboard the aircraft carrier "HMCS Warrior". He was discharged and returned to civilian life and again travelled, this time to the US, visiting relatives before returning to school and various jobs. He once again decided to join the military, this time with the Air Force. This took him to several postings in Canada, the last one being in Alsask, SK where he retired from the military. John and Marie then moved to the beautiful city of Saskatoon in 1973. In the years following, John secured employment with the Department of Northern Services, which involved many modes of transportation to the remote communities of the north. He was later employed as the industrial arts instructor with the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon from which he fully retired in 1986.

John was never one to sit idle! He wore many hats and applied his many skills and talents to serve and help family and friends through the years. His upholstery and carpentry abilities were very much in demand as sons and daughters often had projects for him, especially the farmers and ranchers in the family!

In 2011, John moved into the Ilarion Residence, a smaller accommodation which gave him much freedom and a place he called home until his passing. He expressed that he was very happy there and well cared for. John enjoyed many activities that included walking many miles in order to stay in good shape as well as dancing skills that he shared with his dear friend Reta. She became a wonderful travelling companion as they visited friends, family and even included a trip overseas to see the sights of Paris and other cities. He captured many of his adventures with his photography skills both local and abroad. Then at the age of 95 years, he reluctantly gave up his driver’s license.

John holds the distinction of being the last member of his family of 14, outliving his 9 brothers and 4 sisters, to the age of 96 years. His quiet faith in God took him to the end of his earthly journey. He never failed to tell his family of his love for them and how he faithfully prayed for each and every one of them.