Armand Cloutier, 1926-2008

Armand Cloutier of Falher, (formerly of Donnelly) passed away at the age of 82 years on July 6th, 2008 in Grande Prairie. He was born in Mont Laurier, Quebec on June 27th, 1926 to Louis-Donat Cloutier and Eugenie (Labelle) Cloutier. He arrived in the area with his mom, dad and brother to live on a homestead near Donnelly at 2 years old. When old enough to work, he laboured as a logger and farmer with his family members. Armand was married to Emilienne Garant, his bride of 61 years, on June 23rd, 1947. He had a huge dairy farm and many quarters of land which generated a lot of work for the whole family and various employees. He always gave us tools to build our lives, the knowledge we needed to use them successfully, the encouragement to overcome obstacles, and the confidence to take pride in a job well done. He was known to be a grand leader, a very generous man, an extremely hard worker and always ready to help anyone. Besides work Armand enjoyed reading and talking to anyone and everyone, he had a natural ease for meeting people and there were no strangers as far as Armand was concerned. He enjoyed camping, travelling and many side-line hobbies. Armand had a lot of love, admiration and respect for his family, friends and community. He had a strong and deep faith throughout his life. Armand’s legacy to all of us; his family, his friends, his community is find joy in asking, find joy in giving, work hard and build family, friendships and community. Armand’s motto was build it and they will come. Armand is survived by his lovely wife Emilienne, son Denis (Colleen,Donnelly), daughter-in-law Denise Cloutier (Ken Breland, Valleyview), daughter Joceline (Larry Bliska, Peace River), daughter Louise (Germain Bastien, Guy), son Jean-Louis (Vivian, Sherwood Park), daughter Diane Carley (Darrell Woods, Peace River), son Gilles (Lorraine, Donnelly), son Richard (Julie, Donnelly), daughter Suzanne (Art Quinney, Peace River), 36 grand children and 4 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister-in-laws Colombe Cloutier (Donnelly), Regine Cloutier (McLennan), Lilianne Cloutier (St. Jerome), Antoinette Cloutier (Edmonton), sister of Holly Cross Sr. Madeleine Cloutier (Edmonton), brother Paul-André (Mont-Laurier), sister Sylviane (Donald Morgan, Kelowna), brother Victor (Jacqueline, Donnelly), sister Hélène (Johannes Coppens, Red Deer), brother Lucien (Jocelyne, Donnelly), numerous nieces, nephews and many good friends. Armand was predeceased by his sons René and Rémi, grandson Paul, his father Louis-Donat, his mother Eugenie (Labelle) and his brothers Maurice, Lévis, Jean-Guy, and Pierre. Funeral services for Armand Cloutier were held at the St. John The Baptist Cathedral in McLennan July 12th, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Joseph Jacobson and Deacon Reg Bouchard, officiating. Cross Bearer: Sarah Delorme, pall Bearers: Donald Cloutier, Donald-Patrick Tarney, Norman Bastien, René Cloutier, John Carley, Patrick Cloutier, Alex Huppe and Bradon Quinney. Words of Remembrance (Eulogy): Jean-Louis Cloutier. Music: Monique Carley and Ginette Aubin. Soloist: Lori-Lee Simard. Interment: Paroisse du Sacré-Cœur Cemetery, Donnelly, Alberta. Funeral arrangements were under the directions of the Chapel of Memories, Peace River, Alberta. Memorial donations may be made to the Smoky River Palliative Care Society, Box 132, Falher, Alberta.