Jean-Guy "John" Boileau

Jean-Guy Boileau was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to his life and in his relationships. He was tough-minded with the kind of “stick to it” attitude that earned the respect of all who knew him. He was also a man who was meticulous, carefully disciplined, and orderly in virtually everything he undertook. Realistic about life, he was always at the ready, prepared to take on responsibility.

John was born on March 27, 1956 at Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. His parents were Roger Boileau and Laura (Ferguson) Boileau, and he had a sister Celine, who was 4 years younger. He was brought up to be self-confident and dependable, and was very loyal to his family. These were traits that would serve him well throughout his life.

As a young child, John developed a variety of interests, and the things he enjoyed doing he did well. John took part in hockey, baseball and lacrosse. He also liked boat riding, water skiing, and fishing. He loved the great outdoors and camping. John's memorable achievements included trophies in hockey, baseball, and lacrosse. John also enjoyed playing and spending time with his friends and family.

As a teenager he was a strong boy and enjoyed doing things with his hands. He participated in weight lifting, and played hockey at competitive rep level in the leagues SHA and MTHL (which became today the GTHL). He attended Woburn Collegiate Institute but left school in 10th grade to work in rebar in construction. During his time in high school his favourite classes were Gym and Car Mechanics. John loved working on cars and took his own car, a Lemans Sports Coupe to school and worked on it, tuning it up. He also enjoyed going to the movies and snowmobiling.

Always considered to be a solid friend, John was fortunate to have numerous acquaintances and several close friends during his life. He was committed to his friends and it was not uncommon for John to go beyond the call of duty for others. He once defended his friend which resulted in a bar fight. He was not afraid of getting rowdy and always stood his ground whether for himself, his friends or his family. While growing up, some of his best friends were Peter Spence, Bob McKenzie and Aime McFadden. He also spent a lot of time hanging out with his cousins Denis Boileau and Mike Boileau. Later in life, he became friends with Paul and Marie-Josee Smith.

On November 25, 1989 John exchanged wedding vows with Fernande Marie Galipeau at the St. Louis-de France Catholic Church in North York, Ontario. Compassionate and devoted to Fern, John held endearing, traditional values about marriage and family life. He took the responsibility of marriage to heart, giving it his total commitment. He worked hard to make his new family happy, and made sure they would not be without.

In the early years he worked in construction as Rebar Foreman which was a very heavy laboured job. John greatly enjoyed what he did for a living. He was a hard worker who expected the same in return from his co-workers. He was a good boss, skilled at getting his crew to work fast, effectively, and efficiently, producing a quality product while respecting contractors' demanding schedule, and earning the company handsome profits. He demanded professionalism from his men, but was also known for letting loose by telling jokes, pulling small pranks, and buying his share of rounds. John was a team player, and did what was necessary to get the job done.

One of his most notable projects was building the OPG Darlington Nuclear Plant. He worked there for years but was most proud of being in charge of the large Vacuum building. Later he switched over to start his own business with his father serving the west Toronto, Brampton area as a mobile caterer. He and his father owned their own Grumman style truck, giving their clients the best that the coffee truck business had to offer with a warm smile and good food. He worked in this business for nearly 17 years before returning to commercial construction in Rebar and his position as Foreman. He worked for 17 years with Harris Rebar - in the Ironworkers Union Local 721 Toronto until his retirement giving a total of 33 years of service.

John brought the same traditional values in his marriage to bear on how he raised his children. He was a good parent to them, always firm yet fair. John was blessed with two sons, Jonathan and Jesse. He encouraged them in their desire to play hockey for all their childhood and always made time for them and their endeavours. For many years when both like him played competitive rep level hockey, he would work a 14 hour day with his business in West end Toronto, drive home in Pickering and quickly eat dinner before going back out for their hockey games in various places all over the GTA and even as far north as Barrie, Ontario, only to return home late, and be up again for his long work day and do it all over again. He supported them in their many travels in Hockey taking them all over Ontario and abroad, from Ottawa to Sudbury, from Toronto to Montreal, and even to Detroit, Michigan. In these travels they had many adventures like skating on Rideau Canal eating Beaver Tails, skating on the ice of the old Maple Leaf Gardens where all the old legends of hockey set foot, watching NHL games in the Corral Centre in Ottawa, the Bell Centre in Montreal, the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. There were also many parties at hotel rooms where friends were made and good times were had. In 2009 Jonathan and Jesse joined their father at work becoming Rodman Ironworkers. He was blessed with the opportunity to teach his sons how to apply his trade as his father had done with him. They worked by his side for 12 years until he retired.

He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Cecilia, William, Abigail and Isabelle, who he loved with the kind of love only a grand-papa can know. You could see the mix of pride, love, and amazement of the growth of his family in his eyes. He, like with his sons, was always there for their sports endeavors as they played hockey, baseball, soccer, and gymnastics.

He loved his trailer that was located on Scugog Island near Port Perry, Ontario where he and his wife Fern would spend all their spare time in the summer. They did this for 25 years and they loved it. It was their escape, their getaway. John and Fern loved escaping from the big city and the hustle and bustle. They loved to go swimming at the beach or the pool and sunbathe after a dip. They would cook and barbeque while listening to their favorite music, 50s oldies, Country, and French-Canadian. Along with their children they'd also play board games like Tock and card games like Cribbage, Euchre and Wizard. In the evening they'd always have a fire and listen to music, roast hot dogs and marshmallows. But the family's favourite was when he boiled corn on the cob over the fire. John and Fern would often entertain family and friends at their trailer and many parties were held there. Every time there was a party there was always a game of Croquet. John and his father had their own special rules which were usually made up on the fly to benefit them, but it always made for a good laugh. In the winter when the trailer was closed up for the season he enjoyed watching movies, watching sports on tv, mainly hockey, Baseball, Tennis, Curling, and the Olympics. He also enjoyed quieter activities like building models and puzzles, and loved to play chess.

John was involved in many organizations throughout the years. He was a trainer on many of the hockey clubs his sons played in, he played hockey in men's beer leagues, played in a bowling league. John was also active with the church. He was a member of the Chevalier de Colomb (Knights of Columbus) 4th degree, processing in parades in the streets of Toronto in Regalia, performed honour guards at various events like the Live Rosary at the Canadian Martyr's Shrine in Midland, Ontario, and when Pope John Paul II came to visit Canada. He was also a member of the Cursillo movement.

John was a man who was dedicated and devoted to his Catholic faith. He was a 30 year parishioner at Assomption de Notre-Dame Catholic church in Oshawa. He was a sympathetic man who valued his beliefs and was willing to stand up for them.

John enjoyed travelling and taking vacations. Since he was an early starter and had a knack for planning everything, travelling with John appeared effortless. Plus, no matter where he travelled, John always had a back up plan at the ready, just in case. His Favourite vacations included driving to Florida to spend time with his mother and father who wintered there, Cuba, going to the cottage, and camping. Also, travelling to visit family in and around the areas of Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. One year the family planned a big skiing trip. The family drove up to a skiing resort in St-Emile-De-Suffolk in northern Quebec, and went cross country skiing, tubing, cottaging, outdoor ice skating, and played sports like outdoor broomball and outdoor hockey. At night the parties started with singing and dancing, then beers and stories over a fire. The new year was rung in by fire light and star light, and everyone taking a swig of Cognac.

John was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He loved horses and even lived out in Alberta near Calgary and also Fort McMurray, working in construction during the week and horseback riding during the weekend. He also loved dogs and had a few growing up. John’s favourites were Ti-Blanc, a Chihuahua and Bijou, a Miniature Poodle. His family always had a pet, even at one point had both a poodle named Coquette and a cat named Minou.

Jean-Guy Boileau passed away from cancer on December 15, 2021 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. He is survived by his wife Fernande, his older son Jonathan and wife Jaqueline, his younger son Jesse and partner Carly, his sister Celine and husband Wayne, his four grandchildren Cecilia, William, Abigail, and Isabelle, his Goddaughter Kathryn, niece Victoria, and extended family from the Boileau, Ferguson, Galipeau, and Gélineau families. Services were held at Assomption de Notre-Dame Church. John was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in Whitby, Ontario.

Family is a key word that can be used to best describe the life of Jean-Guy Boileau. He was committed to traditional family values that he upheld his entire life and they made him a good husband, father, and grand-father. He was a great man who was dearly loved.

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BOILEAU, Jean-Guy (John)

(Longtime Employee of Harris Rebar & Iron Worker’s Local 721-Retired Nov. 1, 2021)

Courageously he lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021, at Sunnybrook Hospital surrounded by his family, at the age of 65. Beloved husband of Fernande (nee Galipeau). Proud father of Jonathan and Jesse, and father-in-law to Jackie and Carly. Dear brother to Celine Rumboldt. Cherished Grandpa of Cecilia, William, Abigail and Isabelle. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Visitation will be held at the OSHAWA FUENRAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Tuesday, December 21st from 4 – 8 p.m. To attend the visitation please book your spot using the following link:

https://signup.com/go/rvimVct

Prayers will be held at the funeral on Tuesday December 21st at 7:45 p.m. Please sign up using the link above.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Assomption de Notre-Dame, 384 Hillside Avenue, Oshawa on Wednesday, December 22nd at 11:00 a.m. To attend the funeral mass please book your spot using the following link:

https://signup.com/go/NkDNAxf

For anyone unable to attend the Funeral Mass, please join us via our livestream link below,

https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/42741

Online condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com