Obituary of Joseph Roland Lessard

It is with deep sadness and profound peace that we announce the passing of Joseph Roland Lessard, beloved husband of Helen (Tapper) in Calgary, AB on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at the age of 82 years. Joe shall always remain with his loving wife of fifty-seven years and his family which was blessed with love, humour and infinite support. Joseph was the devoted father of Paul (Anna Marie), Darlene (Tom), Sue (Bob), Carolanne (David), and Paulette (Ben). Joseph was the joyful, gentle and loving grandfather of Sheena, Marc, Amber-Skye, Annie Rose, Raymond (Tanya), Jason (Katia), Rachelle (Jean), Jasmine (Tyler), Nicole and Daniela; great-grandfather of Kyra, Tristen, Zander, Vanessa, Kyle, and Mikayla. Grandpa will always be remembered with great love and joyful memories which will never be forgotten. Survived by his brothers, Gene and Martin of Hudson Bay, SK; and sisters, Clara of Vernon, BC, Therese of Vancouver, BC and Mae of Toronto, ON. Born in Meota, SK on February 12, 1923 Joseph returned to Hudson Bay upon completion of the war an built a home for his mother Rachel Lessard. He eventually left the prairie horizon for a future in Ontario where a special woman touched his soul and he found a spiritual partner and friend for life. Joseph and Helen were married in Toronto, ON on June 26, 1947. After a fulfilling Sales career with Flexonics and active community involvement with the Roman Catholic Church in Brampton, ON Joe and Helen chose to retire and travel extensively throughout North America. Travel was a natural interest and they shared their passion for the land, its people and the distant horizon with their family and everyone they met. Special thanks goes to Joe and Helen’s beloved daughter Carolanne and son-in-law David who selflessly provided years of support to her mother and father. The family would like to thank the members of the Palliative Care team who supported Joe and his family on his final journey home. Dr. John Donald walked with angels as he cared for Joe with grace and empathy. Joe was an oak – an individual who stood with grace and gentle dignity in the quiet heat of sunlight and understood that a man only begins to grasp the true meaning of life when he plants a tree under whose shade he knows he will never sit. “And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched… for nothing loved is ever lost… and he was loved so much.” Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (541 Silvergrove Drive N.W.) on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. James Hagel, Presider. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 – 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 Telephone: (403) 205-3966 or to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, #201, 222 – 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3 Telephone: (403) 290-0110. In living memory of Joe Lessard, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.