Edouard J. Desautels

Edouard J. Desautels October 23, 1933 - August 3, 2020   It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Edouard  "Ed" Desautels, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather brother, uncle and friend on Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at The Foyer St. Joseph in Ponteix at the age of 86.  He will be cherished by his loving wife of 63 years, Simone (nee Forget); his children, Louise Auger, Doris (Gerry) Bourlon, Dan (Veronica) Desautels and Vickie (Leon) Hiebert; Grandchildren, Jenna (Brad) Walton, Jamie Desautels (Ravi Seyed Mahmoud) and Stephanie Desautels; Great grandchildren, Rylin Walton and Laila Walton.  He will be fondly remembered by his surviving siblings Beatrice Goulet, Maurice (Yvonne) Desautels and Gertrude Mondor.  Ed's memory will live on with his In-laws, Peter Harvey, Rita Forget, Paulette Forget, John & Elaine Forget, Leo & Yolande Thibault and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents, Horace and Dosia Desautels, brothers & their spouses; Ernest (Marie-Anna) Desautels, Robert (Lucienne) Desautels, Roger (Beulah) Desautels and Lucien (Lina) Desautels; his sisters Sr. Yvonne, Sr. Lucienne and Florence (Ralph) Schell, brothers-in-law Edwin Cheesman, Henri Goulet and Gaston Mondor. The In-laws that passed away before Ed were John (Laurette) Martin, Cecile Harvey, Willie Forget, Gaston Forget, Rene (Alice) Forget. Also passed away, a few nieces, nephews and a very special son-in-law Paul Auger.  Ed was the eleventh child and the last member born on the family homestead near Ponteix. He was named in honor of his sister Lucienne who had been given the name Soeur Marie Edouard when she took the religious habit.  He attended the little country school called Comfort School (where he had to walk...for miles...uphill...through the snow...both ways) for 9 years and then did his grade 10 at Ponteix High School. He worked for various people and relatives doing odd jobs and farm work until he found his lifelong career of farming and carpentry. He remodelled and built a number of homes including his parents house in Ponteix.  He always had a hammer in hand when some of his children built or renovated their homes. He crafted them many gifts and projects.  On October 18th, 1956 Ed married Simone Forget. A couple years later when his parents moved into town, they moved to his dad's homestead where he farmed the land his father had cleared. It was a proud day when he received a plaque for the Century Family Farm Award for The Desautels Family Farm. 100 years of farming with only two generations. He would continue farming for a few more years before selling the farm.  He always welcomed people into his home whether it was at the farm or one of the two residences in town. One more home and his favourite one was the cabin at Lac Pelletier. He was pleased it stayed in the family.  Being very community minded, Ed attended church regularly, even on holidays, and was active in many clubs. He was past Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus and former councillor for RM 106 Whiska Creek. He was also a member of the Elks, the Wildlife Federation and the Royal Canadian Legion and Les Amis De Ponteix and more organizations. He was still the Treasurer for two of the clubs at the time of his passing.  Ed's favorite pastime was playing cards. He enjoyed a good game of Bridge or cribbage. Enjoyed dancing, loved singing, especially if someone was playing a guitar and around a campfire. He always had good old country music in the house or a vehicle.  He even sang in the Christmas Church Choir for many years until he could no longer walk up the many stairs to the choir loft. In his later years he took part in a French music CD with Les Auvergnois de Ponteix.  Ed had many interests: gardening, hunting, curling, golfing, fishing, boating, bowling, shooting pool. Favourite part was the Happy Hour that followed the sport. He enjoyed going to the coffee shop to socialize and catch up on all the latest news. He liked going to the casino and never missed an opportunity to bet- who would catch the first, the biggest or the most fish. As life slowed down, they were always working on a jigsaw puzzle. A tradition he started for his family was Caesar Sunday. Everyone pitching in to make brunch on a Sunday with a drink in hand.  Ed and Simone loved travelling. They always took the kids camping during the summer. Most vacations included a caravan of family and friends. Then an autumn holiday for a few weeks was for them. They travelled extensively across the States and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also went to Mexico and the Bahamas. In later years during the cold Canadian winter months they headed south. They could not wait to take down the Christmas tree and put away the decorations. Hitch up the fifth wheel, get on the road to celebrate New Years Eve in Las Vegas. Then they would continue to Yuma with relatives and friends. They officially became know as Snowbirds.  Edouard always attended huge family reunions, no matter how far they were, whether he had a hand in planning them or not. Ed often ended his evening with a glass of brandy. A Desautels tradition shared by many of his brothers and sisters.  Ed was born, raised, married, lived, died and buried in Ponteix.   The family would like to thank the staff of The Foyer St. Joseph. Ed only had wonderful words for the atmosphere, the activities, the delicious meals and the compassionate care.  A note from the family; Due to the laws COVID-19 has imposed on group gatherings, it has been decided to have a private family funeral with only a small number of family and few of his close friends. There will not be a lunch or fellowship after the funeral.  This is not the send off we wanted for our dad, who was such a social person and loved being surrounded by people. Please go to a church, light a candle, say a prayer for him. Reminisce over coffee or at happy hour. Whichever way you wish to remember him.   Funeral Mass at Notre Dame D'Auvergne Church in Ponteix, SK on Saturday August 15th at 2:00 PM. Internment at the Roman Catholic Cemetery following the service to be attended by the immediate family.  In memory of Edouard Desautels, a memorial donation may be made to either Foyer St Joseph Nursing Home Box 450 Ponteix, SK S0N 1Z0 or Notre Dame D'Auvergne Roman Catholic Church Box 540 Ponteix, SK S0N 1Z0 or the Charity of your choice. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.

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