Obituary of Arthur (Art) Joseph ROUSSEAU

August 10, 1936 – Fort Frances, Ontario

November 2, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

The family of Arthur (Art) Joseph Rousseau announces his passing on Monday, November 2, 2020 at the age of 84.

Art joined his first baseball team when he was "called up", on August 10, 1936, in Fort Frances, Ontario. Art had been the youngest and was the namesake of his father, The Coach, Arthur Rousseau Sr. (1894-1972). While the Assistant Coach, his mother, Anna Louise (nee Gorge), (1898-1950) had to leave the team in 1938 with a long-lasting illness. He was significantly impacted by Ollie Beyak. She was the Assistant General Manager and faithful mother-in-law!

His surviving family members are his wife, Vera, sister Eva, four sisters-in-law, Jeannine LeHoux Rousseau, Margaret Orton Rousseau, Joyce Perry Rousseau, Sharon Beyak; and his brother-in-law Walter "Max" Beyak. He was able to enjoy the presence of seventeen of his many nephews and nieces who attended his 80th Birthday party! He loved them all dearly.

Those of his team who had moved "up to the majors" (deceased) were his six siblings, Yvonne, Henry, Alice, Therese, Roland, and Emile; as well his four brothers-in-law, Roger LeMoyne, Jack Marchand, Richard Anderson, and Gordon Abbott. As a young adult he had treasured these family members. They were always there to make those hits! They had survived and flourished through hard work and living off the land, while making time for a large backyard skating rink in the 1940s.

At the age of 20, Art was traded to join the "Work Force". Through those winters he stayed with Margaret and Roland on their houseboat. This gave him the opportunity to play hockey with the Fort Frances Canadians-Intermediate Team. Through the summer months he found work with Caland Ore on a dredging crew in Atikokan, Ontario, with his brothers. Off to first base with his family's work ethic to support himself!

After working in Black Lake, Quebec, Art returned to Atikokan. It was here in 1956 he met and eventually married Vera (Beyak) in 1962; his General Manager. Together they began their journey, making time for camping and then travelling across this broad country whether it was using tents, truck campers, and finally a motorhome. He enjoyed many memorable moose hunting trips with Max, Terry, and several of the other Andersons. Art was a loving foster father to a lively Patrick O'Neill in his younger years and Stacey King (nee Churchill)  who was a lovely close family friend during her formative years. Art worked in Atikokan, Ontario, in Balmertown, Ontario, and finally in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He had "hit his home run" while employed by MacMillan Bloedel (1979-1990), becoming a millwright and a confident team player. He retired in 1995.  He stole second easily with all of this support helping him!

Now it was time to join the "Take It Easy" team. Now it was time for slow-pitch!

Over the years he enjoyed all that hitting, being a reliable catcher at short-stop or out in the field. With wings on his feet, he became a runner for those who couldn’t - well into his 80s. Through these years, within the Three Score League in Clearwater, Florida, the Calgary Slow-Pitch League at Triwood and in Mesa, Arizona, with Apache Wells Senior teams, his natural running, hitting, and catching skills were enjoyed. It lasted for 25 years, as he and Vera traded in the cold for warm winter ball in Clearwater, Florida, Palm Springs, California, and Mesa, Arizona.

He did have a Support Staff that encouraged him all the way to third base - his three Assistant Coaches (children), with their spouses in the dugout, always ready to lend a hand: Guy with Treena (nee Cress), Sue with Jerry Pilot , Simone with Pablo Galvez, and Anne Marie Rousseau a cherished niece. He loved the seven of them in his own unique way. Then there was that special family of DH's (Designated Hitters), as Mary, Brent and Chris Calder, a family of closer cousins, sharing many good times "around those bases".

Many friendships were maintained through their team play, one group became the 80s Coffee Club on Fridays at Harvey's. This group of a dozen or so experienced the passion of excelling in 'their game' over the decades. They were all, past and present, near and dear to him. Through all of their replaying of games gone by, their hearing aid use, their concern for each other—he slid into third base easily!

His six grandchildren, Katelyn Pilot, Jackson Pilot, Capri Galvez, Cole Rousseau, Carmen Galvez, and Ella Rousseau, held his heart as they looked to their futures. His quiet, caring nature was reflected in his willingness 'to be there' for each of them. Art had been looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild, expected in March 2021 with Jackson and Leanna as loving parents. They are, or will be, his fans, sitting on the bleachers. In turn, their goodness, their work ethic, and their strength of character will propel him to his final resting place—home plate!

It is the family and friends who made his life fun-loving, challenging, and in the end, complete. He passed away peacefully, into the arms of Our Lord, on November 2nd, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta.

We would like to thank the nurses, the doctors, and other support staff. Art was particularly fond of the Resident Assistants, as they provided him with exceptional care.

There will be no official service due to Covid-19. His family will be remembering his life throughout their own. Please follow Art's example by showing kindness and compassion to the vulnerable and those in need. If friends so desire, and in lieu of flowers, donations to The Mustard Seed giving.theseed.ca  102 11Ave. SE, Calgary. AB. T2G 0X5, or any charity of your choice would be appreciated. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Arthur’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Art Rousseau, 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.