Louis Emile Gerald Cousineau

Louis Emile Gerald Cousineau, 85, of 149 Fourth Street West, Fort Frances, ON., passed away peacefully with his family at his side, shortly after noon on Wednesday, November 19 at Riverside Health Care.

Louis was born on Sunday, May 19, 1929 in Fort Frances to the late William D. and Marie (Roy) Cousineau.

Louis spent his childhood in Fort Frances and attended St. Mary’s School during his elementary years and later, Fort Frances High School. Louis proved to be a strong student and good athlete. Louis graduated from high school in 1947.

Although keen on continuing his education and going to school to become a pharmacist, Louis ended up staying in Fort Frances when his father’s health began to fail. Louis helped his mother run the family business, the Electric Bakery at 272 Scott Street. When his father passed away in 1953, Louis stayed on at the store and later took ownership of it; buying it from his mother and bringing in his brother Raymond as a business partner. The Electric Bakery, then later the Bonnie Blue, became a family run business. The Bonnie Blue was a favorite spot in town to enjoy an ice cream, Long John, donut, spending time at the lunch counter, or just stopping for a chat with Louis, who always had a friendly smile for all.

In his spare time Louis enjoyed many hobbies. His interest in prospecting took him on many different excursions throughout the district and allowed him to make many friends far and wide. For all his work in the field, Louis was recognized by the Northwestern Ontario Prospector’s Association and awarded an Honorary Life Time Membership in Thunder Bay in 2007. Louis loved to spend time at Bears Pass with his family and friends. Louis was an active and enthusiastic member of the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, the local Lions Club and the local Knights of Columbus, Council 2766.

Louis was predeceased by his father, William D. Cousineau, his mother Marie, his brothers Bob, Leon, James, Bernard and sisters Joan Boileau and Rose-Marie DeGagne. Louis was also predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Marion, Doris and Margaret and brother-in-law Louis Boileau.

Louis is survived by two brothers Roy of Sacramento, CA and Raymond and wife Helen of Fort Frances, sister-in-law Virginia Cousineau of Thunder Bay, brother-in-law Denis DeGagne of Thunder Bay. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him deeply.

Cremation took place at Rainy River Cremation in International Falls, MN.

A memorial mass to celebrate Louis’s life was held on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Victor DeGagne S. J. officiated. Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club provided the Honour Guard.

Internment will take place at a later date.

Friends visited with family on Monday, November 24, 2014 from 7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:30 pm, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus led the rosary.

Pallbearers were nephews, James, Bradley, Edward and George Cousineau.

The honorary pallbearers were Larry Cousineau, Richard Boileau, Paul Cousineau, Rob DeGagne, Dan Cousineau and Ken Desjardins.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus of Fort Frances, the Lions Club of Fort Frances or La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary. Online condolences may be made at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.