Obituary of Daniel John GIROUARD

October 22, 1919 – St-Mathieu, Rimouski, Quebec
February 22, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Daniel John Girouard, beloved husband of Claire Girouard (nee Henley), of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the age of 100 years and 4 months. 

On October 22, 1919, Daniel John Girouard was born to Alfred Girouard and Yvonne Dionne in the village of St-Mathieu, Quebec. Daniel’s time with his mother was tragically brief.   In 1921, shortly after the birth of Daniel’s brother, Charles, both his mother and baby Charles passed away from complications after the birth.  This tragedy prompted Alfred to leave Quebec to start a new life in the west, homesteading in the Peace River district of Alberta.  Daniel was left in Quebec to be raised by his maternal grandparents, Ferdinand Dionne, and Marie Gagnon.  Having raised a large family, they gave Daniel the benefit of growing up with uncles and aunts, some close to his age.  Daniel grew up on the family farm and enjoyed a happy, loving childhood.  On his first day of school when the teacher was calling attendance, she called out “Daniel Girouard” no one answered.  She called the name out again, and pointed to Daniel and said, “That is you.”  Daniel shook his head, he said “No, my name is Daniel Dionne.”  When he got home he told his Grandmother, “That teacher is crazy, she said my name is Girouard!”

At the age of 12, Daniel’s father returned to bring him back to Alberta.  At first he did not believe that Alfred was his father.  The next day after Daniel returned from school, Alfred was still there.  With more convincing from his grandparents, he accepted that Alfred was indeed his father.  Daniel travelled with his father, uncles Charles and Ferdinand Dionne, and Philip D’Auteuil to Alberta.  His father had married a second time to Florentine Campbell in 1926, they had two children Ted (Phillip Alfred), and Jeanne. Daniel had half siblings that he just found out about, and then met, when he arrived at the homestead in Dreau, Alberta.  Daniel continued his schooling until age 15, when he had a hard fall from his horse and injured his leg. After recovering at home, it was decided he had enough schooling, and it was time for him to start working full time on the farm. Daniel worked on the farm until he convinced his father to let him go to a logging camp to help his uncles. He also cleared land with his father, and spent time working for the Railway as a young man.

In 1941 at the age of 21, Daniel enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, in Grande Prairie, Alberta.  He trained near Calgary, and then in England.  Daniel served in World War II with a transportation ground crew, he was posted in the Central Mediterranean, Northwest Europe, and in Holland at the end of the war.  He returned to Canada in 1946.  He formed life long friendships with several of his army buddies, including Dick Page and Henry Johnson from the Didsbury area, and several others from across Alberta, and Canada.        

Daniel returned to the Peace River area and went back to work on the railroad and farm.  There he met the love of his life Claire Marie Henley.   In December 1946 they were married in Girouxville, Alberta. The reception must have been quite a party as the hall burnt down after the guests had left in the early morning hours.  

Daniel and Claire acquired a half section of land south of Girouxville that they cleared and farmed until 1950, while also working other jobs to make ends meet. In 1947 their first daughter was born, Marguerite Yvonne.  In 1948 their first son was born, Richard Theodore.  The young family was staying near Prince George, BC, for work, where their second daughter Paula Louise was born in 1949. While in BC fire struck again, and they lost many belongings. Daniel then gained employment with a seismic crew, and the family travelled with him.  They lived in a small trailer, following seismic work throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.  In 1953 they arrived in Calgary and lived in the trailer park in Inglewood, then at Sunshine Auto Court, which is now part of Stampede Park.  In 1954 Daniel started working for Canada Post, where he was a Letter Carrier until his retirement in 1980.

In 1955 the family moved into a brand new home in Bowness. The children could not get over all of the room: 850 square feet, a big upgrade from the trailer.  The children attended school in Bowness, and Daniel and Claire made many new friends. Daniel enjoyed travelling, and the family spent many weekends on the road visiting relatives and friends. To everyone's surprise, Daniel and Claire’s fourth child, Paul Louis, arrived in 1966, 17 years after his sister.  

Daniel and Claire's travels took them to Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.  After retiring in 1980 they spent several years taking trips in their motorhome travelling all across Canada, the United States, and into Mexico. After Daniel turned 80 the trips were shorter, but they still traveled around Canada visiting friends and family as they went. 

Daniel was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 238, he spent time as Service Officer, and helping the Poppy Fund for many years. Daniel and Claire were regulars at the Thursday Senior’s Jam, and liked to have a dance or two. They attended two “Thank you Canada” trips to Holland, where they were treated extremely well as a result of Daniel’s service at the end and after the war.  Daniel and Claire lived in their Bowness home until he was finally ready to move into the retirement apartment at the age of 97. 
 
Daniel had a great love of his family and friends.  He was never more lively than when he was playing with children.  He liked to tease all the kids and they all kept coming back for more.  Daniel celebrated 100 years this past October, where he had the pleasure of visiting with many friends and family that travelled from near and far to enjoy an afternoon in his honor.  Daniel was loved by many, and his memory will live with us for all of our days.

Besides his loving wife Claire, Daniel is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Beverly Girouard, and Paul and Kirsten Girouard; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marguerite and Fritz Weidmann, and Paula and Brian Kelly; six grandchildren, Robert Girouard, Tedd and Marie Girouard, Debbie Kelly and Jason Levy, Sonja Weidmann, Michael and Katherine Weidmann, and Stephanie Weidmann; and three great-grandchildren, Brian Weidmann, Ben Weidmann, Odin Kelly-Levy.  

Daniel was predeceased by his mother Yvonne Dionne; father Alfred Girouard; two brothers, Charles Girouard, and Ted Girouard; sister Jeanne Gendron; and grandparents, Ferdinand Dionne and Marie Gagnon.

A Celebration of Daniel’s life will be held at the Bowness Legion (138 Bowness Center NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Daniel’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.   

In living memory of Daniel Girouard, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB, T3G 2T3,Telephone: 403-241-0044.