George Bissonnette

“Life is your adventure, seek to live your best Life”

November 22, 1930, in the small village of Saint Jean Baptiste in Southern Manitoba, George was born to his parents, Etienne and Lydia Bissonnette. The second of four children and the eldest boy, George was curious, inquisitive and adventurous. He made his own fun and was always off on some excursion - the way he told it, his childhood might remind you something of Huckleberry Finn. George was a storyteller and the room would hang on his every word as he told his tales of adventure. Growing up in the thirties, the early years weren’t easy but George’s parents taught their children to always help their neighbour, and that when you help others you never ask anything in return - and he carried those lessons with him through his life.

Leaving Saint Jean at a young age, George was known to be quite creative with his hands - he could build and fix anything he put his mind to. These skills would lead him to his first career as an auto body man and motor mechanic. He moved around to various shops in Southern Manitoba and Winnipeg before eventually being asked to join the White Rose shop in Kenora, Ontario.

He also loved to entertain. An incredible singer and even better whistler, he would go, with an accompaniment, and compete as duets where they were always known for their innovation and precision. While traveling and entertaining throughout Southern Manitoba, George was introduced by a family member to Denise Marguerite Regnier and it was love at first sight. The beautiful school teacher married the handsome mechanic on December 28 1959 and they set out on an excursion that would last 61 wonderful years.

Both Denise and George primarily spoke French, and with the little English they knew they moved to Keewatin, Ontario where they would settle and raise their family. Sons Daniel, Raymond, Marcel and Marc were born in Keewatin and raised with the same lessons and expectations that he had learned growing up. Their childhood was filled with family excursions - camping trips to nearby campgrounds, boating and sailing trips throughout the Lake of the Woods, and trips to Thunder Bay to visit Little Marcel, who was born with significant disabilities, and brought so much joy to his family until his passing in 1975.

George spent time working his trade in a number of auto body shops until his final stop at Pro Auto Body, where he managed the shop. While working there George went back to school to finish Grade 12 and then applied to become a Justice of the Peace. Despite all his handiness, it was here that George found his true calling. His ability to understand both the laws and people, and apply good common sense, helped him to make the important decisions needed. His career took him to some far Northern communities and George just fell in love with the people he met there. He would always speak of how beautiful the North of Ontario was and how honest and genuine he found the people to be. George worked as a JP until his last official act of duty, which was to officiate his oldest son’s wedding, before retiring at the end of February in 2000.

George had tremendous community spirit and became involved in his community from the time he moved to the Kenora-area. “To make a difference, you have to get involved” he would always say, and that he did. George wanted to make a difference, especially for the youth of his community. He started with the Catholic School Board; Board Chair of Arch Industries - where he also organized all the volunteers and stations for the annual 26-mile Walk-a-Thon; Member of the Board of Keewatin Minor Hockey; Worked as an Age Group Convener; Worked on the team to successfully elect the Honorable Leo Bernier to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; Chaired the Keewatin Planning Board; Umpired Youth Baseball; President of the Keewatin Curling Club; 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and lead as Grand Knight; Commodore of the local LOWISSA.

George had many passions in his life, the first and foremost being his family. Ensuring that each of his sons would be able to follow their specific path in life was important to him. He was proud of his boys and always loved to share where they were and what they were doing. The boys all went on to raise their own families and it was in his role as Pepere that George really shone the brightest. He always had the biggest smile and was so happy when grandkids Alyx, Samara, Luc and Leah would walk into the room. He adored them all, and nothing else mattered to Pepere when he was with his grandchildren - hugs from them was all he needed.

George really loved being on the lake, exploring its many nooks and crannies, and all its beautiful, isolated bays. Sailing was George’s personal passion, a love that began in his own childhood living along the Red River. He once engineered a sail for a small boat and sailed off down the river, looking for adventure along the way. He always felt so free and loved the feeling of nature’s power on the sails.

When he wasn’t out on the lake, you might hear him whistling a tune as he made his way down to the Pool Hall on his lunch break. George was an ardent snooker player and just loved to play the “cute shoots” and hide the snooker ball on his opponent. He revelled in that, and playing billiards was truly a getaway for him, enjoying the people he met and played against the most.

Throughout their excursions, Denise and George made many lifelong friends, especially enjoying their time spent with Earl and Mitzie Nelson, and Bob and Jackie Bergman. The excursions across the Lake of the Woods were many, with lots of tales of the trips shared around the family table. A lifetime of fun they all had, and you could trade nothing for the times they spent together.

George leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Denise, and his three boys: Dan and wife Deb, grand daughter Alyx (Courtney); Ray and wife Lynell, granddaughter Samara; Marc and wife Lana, grandson Luc and granddaughter Leah. He also leaves behind sister Rosemarie and brothers Claude and Louis. George is now reunited with his son, Little Marcel.

The family is very humbled and grateful for all the kind words sent and relayed regarding George. He was one-of-a-kind - happy with what he was given and willing to earn his place. George was a courageous man full of adventure, a deep thinker, and a man of honour. He even had his own private parking spot right up until the age of 88. We’ll remember the chills we used to feel when he’d belt out Ave Maria and Oh Holy Night at Christmas Midnight Mass. He would want you to “Live your best life,” so take that step forward.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Limerick, Dr.Thomas, the nursing staff and all of the Pinecrest Staff for all their compassion and the great care extended to George and our family during this time. We also want to acknowledge Dr. Ramshandar and Dr. Del Paggio and both Cancer Care teams in Thunder Bay and Kenora Lake of the Woods Hospital for their incredible care.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation, a random act of kindness to a stranger in need, and look back into your past and call that special someone and reconnect. Go live your best life.

George has now boarded his new sailboat, unfurled the sails and with a strong wind at his back and the sun shining on his face, holding Little Marcel’s hand, he has departed in peace on to his next excursion.

Merci JeanB pour tous les souvenirs que nous avons partagés ensemble. Jusqu'à ce que nous nous revoyions.

(Thank you JeanB for all the memories we have shared together. Till we meet again).

Along the shore I spy a ship

As she sets out to sea;

She spreads her sails and sniffs the breeze

And slips away from me.

I watch her fading image shrink,

As she moves on and on,

Until at last she's but a speck,

Then someone says, “She's gone.”

Gone where? Gone only from our sight

And from our farewell cries;

That ship will somewhere reappear

To other eager eyes.

Beyond the dim horizon's rim

Resound the welcome drums,

And while we're crying, “There she goes!”

They're shouting, “Here she comes!”

We're built to cruise for but a while

Upon this trackless sea

Until one day we sail away

Into infinity.