Jean Despins, 1929 - 2007

Jean Jules Despins, resident of Guy, Alberta, passed away on May 5, 2007, at the age of 77 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Françoise Despins, and brother, George, who passed away in 1999. Jean, son of Ernest Despins and Françoise LaPalme, was born on November 6, 1929. Jean was a student at Pelletier and Falher schools Like most of his brothers and sisters, Jean attended Pelletier School, a little country school, and then the Falher School. After he left Alberta in 1945, Jean settled down in Chambly, Quebec where he became a taxi driver. Jean served 25 years as police officer for the City of Montreal For the next 25 years, he served the City of Montreal as a policeman in the vicinity of the Outremont District. It was during this period that Jean married Raymonde Rodrigue and their two daughters, Dominique and Marie-Josée, were born. Jean had several hobbies and to name a few there was: -Fishing where he loved to relax with his friends and he would bring back beautiful catches that his family would savor joyfully. -Hunting where he spent hours in communion with the tranquility of the peaceful nature without slaughtering too many animals because he found the animals more beautiful roaming the forest than in his plate. -He also loved to go camping where he spent a lot of precious moments with his daughters, Marie Josée and Dominique. -At the cinema, he spent some good times to dream. This is where he met his future second spouse, Colette Renaud, for whom he had the greatest admiration and with whom he shared his love and tenderness for the rest of his life. When Jean retired from the police force in 1978, he decided to return to his roots in Alberta with Colette and they settled neighbors to his brother, Robert’s place. He drove school bus for High Prairie School Division from 1978 to 1994 Considering his young age, he decided to start a second career…that of school bus driver. He drove for the High Prairie School Division from 1978 to 1994 at the end of which time, he was recognized for his excellent service. Jean never refused to give a lending hand to those in need and he was very much appreciated for it. He was a jovial person, very hospitable and fair. From the time that he was struck with illness in 1996, he led a very peaceful and quiet life spending long hours with Colette and his dog Hugo. He kept himself informed and on top of all the latest information by following the daily educative television programs. Jean will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Colette Renaud, his daughters from Montreal, Dominique (Patrick Rivard) and Marie-Josée (Stéphane Faucher), his sisters, Madeleine Bradley of St. Albert, Paulette Despins of New Brunswick, and brothers, Jacques (Berthe Charron) of New Brunswick, Robert (Louisa Délâge) of Guy, AB, and René of Guy also, Pierre (Madeleine Piché) of Falher and Laurent of California, U.S.A., his sister-in-law Jeannine Frenette of Montreal, also many relatives and friends. Funeral Services in Falher on May 10 Funeral services for the late Jean Despins were held on May 10, 2007 at St. Anne Church in Falher, Alberta, with Reverend Boniface N’Kulu Lupitshi O.S.B. and Deacon Réginald Bouchard officiating. The music was provided by Ginette Aubin and the St. Anne Choir directed by Angèle Despins. The cross bearer was Claude Délâge and the pallbearers were brothers Robert Despins, René Despins, Pierre Despins, Laurent Despins, and cousins Edmond Despins and Raymond Despins. Honourary pallbearers were bus drivers. The readers were Claire Délâge, Yolande Proulx and Suzanne LaChance. The eulogy was read by his niece Lina Brault and his brother René. Claude Proulx and Clément LaChance passed the collection. The offerings were brought by his daughters Marie-Josée and Dominique Despins, and cousin Marilyne Despins.