Obituary of Francis Jean Bonnet

September 17, 1933 – Lyon, France

August 30, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Francis Bonnet, beloved husband of Josette Bonnet passed away at their home in Calgary, AB on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at the age of 89 years old.

Francis was born and raised in Lyon, France to Claudius and Valentine Bonnet on September 17, 1933. Francis met the love of his life Josette in 1955 and quickly asked her to marry him. They were married on August 4,1956 in Villeurbanne, France. Not long after getting married they started their family with welcoming their first son Serge and soon after their second son Luc.

In June of 1967 Francis with his family in tow decided it was time for a change, they boarded a ship called the Canmania, and headed to Canada for a new adventure. Arriving in Canada they made their way to the west, finding work in Fort McMurray. It didn’t take him long to decide he wanted another adventure so they were off again to a new country and landed in New Caledonia, he always spoke so fondly about his time there and the friends they made but they knew they couldn’t stay and went back to Canada. 

Francis was a very smart businessman and entrepreneur. He really enjoyed his time in the hospitality and tourism industry owning motels in St. Paul and Drumheller. In the early 1980s Francis and Josette decided to finally build their dream home and retire in Millerville, AB, where they spent all their time with their grandchildren; riding bikes, horses and tractors and countless hours swimming in their pool.

Francis biggest passion was to travel and did they ever. They travelled and visited most of Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, St. Martin, and Guadeloupe. Their last and final move was to their beautiful home in Calgary, spending their summers in Calgary and there winters in Mexico.

Francis leaves his loving wife Josette of 67 years, his son Serge (Alice) Bonnet of Okotoks, AB, his grand children; Daniele (Eric) Laflamme of Okotoks AB, Marc (Stephanie) of Salt Lake City UT, Phillip Bonnet of Leduc AB, Nicole (Tyler) Babkirk of Okotoks AB, Patrick (Demi) Bonnet of Calgary AB, and Hailey Mayer of Calgary AB. Francis's greatest gifts were his eight great grandchildren Dominic, Vincent, Johnny, William, Valentina, Sloane, Gage, and Kade.

Francis was sadly predeceased by his youngest son Luc Bonnet, and his parents Claudius and Valentine, and his brother George.

There will be a private family service at a later date.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Francis’s family here.

In living memory of Francis Bonnet, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.