Adieu mon Jean, Pa, Dad, Pépère, 'Tit' Jean, Chef Jean!

With much love, honour and sadness yet joy, we want to share with you our Dad's peaceful passing. He arrived with his family in Maillardville in 1938 from Willow Bunch, Sask. and later wed Suzanne Goulet, 73 years ago. He lived an exemplary life of service, to his family, his parish of Our Lady of Fatima and his community of Maillardville/Coquitlam. To continue his legacy, he leaves 5 daughters, Michelle Lambert, Pat Turner, Diane Johnston, Nicole Deakin, Monique Power and their families, including 11 beloved grandchildren and 19 great-children.

In 1946, Jean joined the "Cercle Canadien Français de Maillardville" and helped start a musical "fanfare". For many years, at their parish, he and Suzanne played a large role and Jean led the French Choir for 30 years. Jean's dream of starting a French Scouting troop here in B.C. came to fruition in 1955, as he, with friends, cousins and the help of his own K of C French Council, the 1ière "meute" of cubs began. He was awarded many accolades, including the highest award, the Vanier medal for his tireless efforts locally, provincially and nationally. The Fédération des Francophones de la C.B., l' Association Habitat, B.C. Branch 86 O.A.P.O., Société Francophone de Maillardville and Société Bi-culturelle de Maillardville were some of the many organizations he served as well as the Red Cross, volunteer bus driving for Seton Villa and peer counseling. Through Club Bel Âge, he was a founding musician of the "Jammers", a group who entertained seniors in many care homes. He received "le prix Napoléon Gareau" from the Fédération des francophones in 1995, a Queen's Jubilee medal in 2002 and in 2012 for his community service and in 2004 was unanimously conferred with the honour of "Freedom of the City of Coquitlam". Until 2019, at the age of 95, he was a Member Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Club Bel Âge and of Place Maillardville Community Centre.

Donations can be made to Scouts Francophones www.scoutsfranco.com Dad's non-profit group of choice.

His private funeral Mass and burial can only be attended by 10 of us, but you are most welcome to join us Thursday, April 15th at 12:45pm on the livestream link https:youtu.be/OkTclwPPnZQ through the You Tube Channel of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Coquitlam. A funeral service will be held from 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM on 2021-04-15 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 315 Walker Street, Coquitlam, BC, Canada.