Marcel Joseph Achille Turgeon

Marcel Achille Joseph Turgeon passed away on January 18, 2021 after a brief battle with Covid-19. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Rochelle (née Beriault), his daughter Annette, grandson Alex, brothers-in-law Marcel Lemoine and Pierre Beriault, along with many nieces and nephews.

Marcel was born on January 16, 1936 in St. Justine, Quebec. The youngest of 13 children, he learned at a young age the value of hard work. Leaving school early to contribute to the family’s livelihood, he started off his working career as a “bûcheron” (lumberjack) at just 14 years of age. He followed big brother Maurice out west to Edmonton Alberta in the late 50s where he met a young French lady Rochelle who became the love of his life. They married on August 4, 1962. In the spring of 1967, the couple welcomed their baby girl Annette into the world. Annette was the apple of her dad’s eye.

A hard-working man of few words, Marcel found his eventual career as a custodian for the Catholic School Board in Edmonton. Providing 35 years of service, “Mr. T”, as he was known, was beloved by the students in the schools where he worked, even having a baby chick named after him. Marcel’s work-ethic extended to weekends where he helped his father-in-law clear land for the family cabin that they were building on the shores of Isle Lake. He was able to enjoy the fruits of his labours throughout his life, eventually retiring and moving to the cabin in the early 90s.

Their only child Annette moved to Vancouver, BC around that same time and when Marcel and Rochelle found out that she was expecting a child in 1994, they promptly moved to Deroche, BC to be closer to her. Annette relocated to the same hamlet to raise her son Alex with her parents close by. Marcel grew extremely close to his only grandson, doing countless projects together and passing on his tradition of hard work. Alex enjoyed holidaying with his grandparents and looked forward to riding in the motor home that they travelled in. Alex has remained close to them and joined his mother at Marcel’s bedside the day before he passed to say their goodbyes.

Marcel will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, jovial man with a hearty laugh and strong French accent. Repose en paix Marcel.