Laurent Bessette, 1952-2008

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Laurent Bessette, formerly of Jean-Cote. He passed away on June 26, 2008 at the McLennan Hospital at the age of 55 years, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born on July 13, 1952, he was the first child of Real Bessette & Rita Couillard. He grew up on the farm in Jean-Cote where he liked to ride dirt bike and snowmobiles. He also enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, basketball and other sports. He attended the Jean-Cote and Girouxville schools. In December 1971 he met the love of his life Lilliane Simard. Less than a year later they were married on November 25, 1972 in Girouxville. Their union was blessed with four children: Michelle, Marc, Denis and Paul. They resided in Jean-Cote for most of their children’s childhoods. At the age of 33 he graduated from Fairview College as a 1st Class Journeyman Welder with a B Pressure Ticket. Welding was his passion. It took him into endless years of work in the oil patch, especially in the Red Earth area where they resided for a few years. After developing an allergy to welding fumes they moved and settled in the Slave Lake area where he worked as a pumpjack technician and resided for eight years. Due to his illness they decided to move back to the Smoky River area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Laurent worked endless hours in order to provide for his family, but he also took the time to enjoy life and his family. He loved to hunt, camp, boat and fish which often included the whole family. He also took great pride in his seven grandchildren, spoiling them every chance he got. He was known to treat them often to chocolate. The kids loved it and loved him with all their hearts. He took them camping, fishing and boating. He even convinced some of them to go hunting with him. As boring as it sometimes was, they’d get up early in the morning, pack their lunches and spend quality time hunting with pepere. Although he loved his children and grandchildren very much, there was one person who was the love of his life, his wife Lilliane. They were inseparable. Dad would call her “mon chien d’poche.” He even went as far as to hire her as his swamper when he worked in the oilfield. He wanted to keep her close to him right till the end. In 2006 he was diagnosed with an incurable kidney cancer. Despite the fact that he knew time was short he fought with all the courage and strength that he had right until the end. Family became the only focus. He was a very strong man and endured months of pain in order to have more time with his family. He never gave up. He always tried just one more thing that just might cure him. He fought right up until his last breath. In the past few weeks he took great comfort in knowing that he and Pepere Simard would be going fishing together again like old times. I wonder who’ll catch the biggest fish? He was predeceased by his father-in-law Georges Simard, nephew Luc Simard and father Real Bessette. Laurent is survived by his loving wife of 35.5 years, Lilliane, and their four children; daughter Michelle Morin, husband Dave and their children, Krystin, Jaedyn and Shanele. His oldest son Marc and wife Michelle and their daughters, Emma and Kayla, son Denis, youngest son Paul and Caitlin MacMillan and their children, Hailey and Jordan. He is also survived by his mother Rita Bessette and mother-in-law Germaine Simard and numerous siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Laurent Bessette were held July 2, 2008, at the St. Anne Parish in Falher with Father Joseph Jacobson and Deacon Reg Bouchard officiating. Urn bearer was Brian Cote, Cross bearer was Jaedyn Morin, Eulogy was read by Michelle Morin and Caitlin MacMillan, Readings were done by Amanda Cote and Dave Morin, Soloists were Krystin Morin, Shanele Morin, Hailey Bessette as well as Ginette Aubin who also was the organist. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Chapel of Memories, Peace River. Memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation.