Obituary
Claude Louis Cloutier
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Claude Louis Cloutier on August 9, 2020, at the age of 89, at the Ottawa Montfort Hospital with family by his side (in person and virtually).
Claude was born in January 1931 in Timmins Ontario to Gracia Chabot and Joseph Cloutier. He moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1961 and lived there for more than 50 years. He made Ottawa his home in 2013.
Claude was proud to be a Franco-Ontarian and would note that his parents were one of the first couples to be married in Mattice, Ontario. He had an infectious laugh and was the life of the party even as a life-long teetotaller.
From a young age, Claude had an aptitude for fixing things (the neighbourhood children would bring him their bikes to tune up or repair). He made use of this innate skill, became a mechanic and worked 35 years at the Sault Ste. Marie International airport for Transport Canada.
Claude was talented at finding new, efficient ways of doing things. In fact, he won an important incentive award when he worked at Transport Canada, which improved the way machinery functioned.
Claude enjoyed hard work of all kind, including gardening and construction projects. He had numerous hobbies, including playing bridge, fishing, reading, attending mass and singing at the top of his lungs “pre-covid”! One of his favourite songs was “La vie en rose”. He also enjoyed neighbourhood walks and his wife Claire’s home-cooked meals.
Claude and Claire spent many happy years in Florida as snowbirds and enjoyed their travels through Europe.
Claude LOVED the colour red, oatmeal and molasses and really, really loved ice cream! He was “over the moon” when rocking a baby.
Claude frequently said his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be the future leaders who changed the world for the better (and we agree with him!)
Claude was the loving husband of Claire (nee Devlin). He will be dearly missed by his daughters Renelle and Darquise, and his stepchildren Judy (Michael) McCarthy, Sharon Loth (Mike Goodyear), Laura Fryia (Michael Hojen), Doug Loth (Esther Perez), and Christine Loth-Bown (Sterling Bown). Loving grandfather of 9 grandchildren: Sara Fryia (late), Eric Diffey (Amber), Nicole Montgomery (Paul Binns), Chantal Diffey (David St-Jean), Brittany Fryia (Matt Kirkwood), Josh Fryia, Remy (Alyssa), Zacharie, and Noah Bown and of 4 great-grandchildren: Matthias St-Jean, Katherine Diffey, Julianna St-Jean and Isabelle Diffey.
Claude was predeceased by brothers Roland, Benoit (Cecile), René (Wendy) and granddaughter Sara Fryia. He is survived by his sister Cecile Bisson (late Ernest) and brother Denis (Sylviane Martineau). Many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law hold fond memories of Claude: Leo Devlin (Helen), both deceased; Rita Murphy (late Ed); Frances O’Sullivan (Dennis), both deceased; Theresa Reville (Wilfred), both deceased; Mae Lukenda (Lou), both deceased; Terry Devlin (deceased) and Margaret Ann McLeod (Wally). Former in-laws from Quebec enjoyed his company and will also dearly miss him.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Montfort Hospital (4C) for their dedicated care. Their compassion in these incredibly difficult times was very much appreciated.
As expressions of sympathy, in memoriam donations to the Montfort Foundation or to your local Dementia Society would be appreciated, or to the charity of your choice.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes parish in Ottawa on September 4 at 10:30 a.m. A celebration of life will be held at a later date when travel restrictions permit.
January 28 1931 August 9 2020 (age 89)
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Claude Cloutier January 28 1931 August 9 2020 (age 89)..
Décès pour la Ville:Mississauga, Province: Ontario