Gerard Mercier, 1914-2008

Gerard Florent Mercier, resident of Falher, passed away on June 6, 2008 in McLennan at the Sacred Heart Hospital at the age of 94. Geard was born on March 14, 1914 at St. Ephreme de Beauce in Quebec. He arrived in Falher on July 2, 1940 at the age of 25. He soon realized he had left a home that had running water, electricity, pavement, cars and trucks to come out west to a place where horse and buggy were still a means of transportation. Gerard worked for local residents swathing, combining, and hauling grain to the elevators. He also ran CAT for farmers in the district to clear land and make dugouts. During the winters, he worked as a lumberjack cutting down trees with axe and saw. He bought 160 acres of land for $700 which consisted of a plankboard house, log barn, two horses, thirty chickens, a plow, some furniture, a buckstove and table and chairs. He worked for Alex Hachey for three years, helping with the care of the animals and taking care of the family while Mr. Hachey and his wife worked out at logging camps. Later on, Gerard met Anna Gaboury and on Nov. 12, 1945 (the day after the war finished) they were married. They were blessed with eight children; seven daughters and one son. In the late ‘60s, Gerard decided to go into beekeeping, and enjoyed those years very much. In 1975, he sold his bees and moved to Falher where he worked odd jobs while enjoying his retirement. Gerard was passionate about the great outdoors and loved camping, fishing, hunting and woodworking. He resided in his home until March 2006 when he moved to the Villa Beausejour. Gerard is predeceased by his eldest daughter Elise, his wife Anna, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his children; Emilie (Lucien Garant) Donnelly, Huguette (Fernand Turcotte) Falher, Guetane (Falher), Eveline (Edward Grams) Wembley, Denise (Marvin Doran) Watino, Yves (Carol Charest) Spirit River, Lucie (Michel Sauvageau) Donnelly, two brothers, one sister, 25 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for the late Gerard Mercier were held June 10, 2008 at Falher Ste. Anne Church with Father Boniface officiating. Organists was Nicole Beaudoin and soloists were Marvin Doran and Lucie Sauvageau. Violinists were Edward Grams and Cherie-Ann Milroy. Pallbearers were Normand Garant, Marc Turcotte, Paul Ouellet, Edward Grams Jr., Jean-Paul Lepage and Donald Sauvageau. Honorary Cross Bearer was Joel Mercier. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of Memories in Peace River.