Gerard Arthur Demeule, 1929-2008

Gerard Arthur Demeule resident of Falher passed away on Nov. 26 at the age of 79. Gerry was born on April 14, 1929 in Donnelly. He married Bernadette Gagnon in 1949 and lived in McLennan for many years. In 1977, they moved to an acreage located outside Donnelly, where Gerry and Bernadette set up their home and life together. Gerry ran a successful business for 30 years in the Smoky River region called G. Demeule trucking and power line repair. In the duration of owning the business, he made thousands of miles of cut lines, dug holes for power poles and ran machinery. Gerard was extraordinarily happy to have his sons work alongside him. He is survived by sons; Roger (Dorine) Demeule (Grande Prairie), Gilbert (Theresa) Demeule (McLennan), and daughters; Dorine (Francois) Dubrule (McLennan), Louise Newman (Grande Prairie). He is also survived by son-in-law Emile Bourgeois (Guy), sister Louise Zazula (Edmonton) and brother Maurice Demeule (Ardrossan). From his five children, the family grew to include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gerry had twelve grandchildren including; Lynn, Nicole, Clement, Marc, Daniel, Dominique, Tracy, Amanda, Michel, Jacqueline, Stephan and Daniel, and two step-grandchildren Kimberly and Karen. He was a devoted grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to toss a bean bag or play cards with his grandchildren at the many family gatherings. Gerry suffered great losses with the passing of his wife Bernadette in 1992 and daughter Denise in 1999. He is also predeceased by his mother Jeanne Hebert and father Pete Demeule. He was a very hard working man who took great care of his personal belongings. He enjoyed attending garage sales to find great deals. He was also known to have coffee at the Falher Co-op with “the guys”. Some of his favourite activities included going to Peace River for Chinese food, and wood-working in his shop with his friend Gertrude Levasseur. In 2004 he moved to Falher, first into a small home and then an apartment. He finally made the trek to the Villa Beausejour in 2006. Gerry enjoyed playing cards with other residents at the Villa Beausejour, many of which he knew for many years. He said the food was excellent and the staff was nice to him. Gerry was fortunate to also be survived by ten great-grandchildren, Shanell, Kristen, Josh, Tyler, Marcus, Emily, Nya, Nora, Evan and Zachary. Gerard was a strong, confident, humorous and deeply caring man. He will always be remembered with great love by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all those who had the pleasure to spend time with him. Funeral services for the late Gerard Arthur Demeule were held on Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in McLennan with Deacon Reg Bouchard officiating. Ginette Aubin was the soloist and organist for the service. Pallbearers included; Stefane Demeule, Michel Demeule, Daniel Dubrule, Daniel Demeule, Marc Dubrule, and Clement Bourgeois. Interment followed at the Sacre-Coeur de Jesus Cemetery in Donnelly. Funeral arrangements for Gerard Demeule were under the direction of Chapel of Memories in Peace River.