With sadness but with peace in our hearts, we announce the passing of our much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son-In-Law, Brother, Uncle and friend to all – Hubert Joseph Antoine Hutlet.
Hubert was born August 24, 1953 to Paulin and Cecile. He was the 9th child of a family of 10, 5 boys and 5 girls. He was raised on a farm near Bruxelles. A very busy happy childhood with many great memories of family, church, at school being taught by the Nuns, skating on the pond, great neighbours, card games and always good food to eat.
In 1966 Hubert, his Mother and Father, his brother – Tony and his sister – Pauline moved into the town of Holland where Hubert attended the Elementary School and then high school at the Treherne Collegiate. He loved all sports – especially hockey and somewhere along the line he grew to live and breathe only for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He was a worker – worked in Brandon while in high school, worked in Winnipeg but home kept calling him (and maybe a certain girl). He worked for Marcel Timmerman in his later teens and got his start in sales there – selling snowmobiles. He really enjoyed his time there, with great coworkers who were lifelong friends. His sales career continued on as he was hired by Greg Dobbin. Greg was a great mentor and gave Hubert a great deal of responsibility. He first started selling vehicles and then a line of farm equipment at Dobbins. After Dobbin’s business unfortunately burnt – Hubert gained employment at Metcalfe’s Garage where he enjoyed much success for over 20+ years. He had great respect for all the “Metcalfe Family”. Again many people became lifelong friends and consequently repeat customers. That is – until the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s at the age of 59. Names and recognition of people diminished.
Hubert married his high school sweetheart – Audrey Nesbitt on April 6, 1974. They so enjoyed their family of four girls – Nicky (1975) Jaimie (1977) Lindsay (1981) and Holly (1985). Their house was always open for visitors and a beer was offered readily when you walked through the door. Lots of great get- togethers with family and many a party with friends.
Hubert was quite involved in the community – Kinsmen, a volunteer Hockey Coach, a volunteer Ambulance Driver, a volunteer Firefighter, a volunteer Palliative companion/sitter, played hockey with a great group of fellow Rec Hockey players and the 1st EMO coordinator. As time and age marches on, he was able to enjoy some down time. He really enjoyed his weekly golf (maybe not the game but his golfing partner and beers/buddies after the game). He so proudly loved his new boat and loved taking his family fishing, especially at Stanton’s cabin and at the Lake of the Prairies. He made all the arrangements and packed for days to ensure everyone would have a good time. Some great trips were also taken with “the guys” – lots of laughs and fish. There are pictures to prove it! Of course everyone knew not to call or come over Saturday evenings – those Toronto Maple Leafs were on TV. He was lucky enough to purchase the property beside his residence and turn it into his own “Hot Stove Lounge”. The door was always open and a beer in the fridge. His man cave even made the Free Press this past August as a small town oddity!
Hubert openly welcomed all his sons-in-law into the family. They rarely got in the door without a beer being offered. Then along came the grandkids – what special little people he loved and enjoyed right to the end. As babies, he would carry and walk them for hours. He had to purchase a Gator for them to enjoy – we think he enjoyed it more than they did – watching them having such fun. While perched on his knee, many a grandchild “drove” Grandpa around. Soccer games in the backyard, “push me higher on the swings Grandpa” and he tried so hard to give them every Toronto Maple Leaf item he thought they could enjoy/use. One of his proudest moments was when he was able to take his oldest grandson Ty to a Toronto Maple Leaf FanFest in Toronto. He had always wanted to take more grandkids as they got older but that wasn’t in the cards. Hubert always said Disneyworld was ok but the Toronto Maple Leafs were the best attraction to go see. The Alzheimer’s had noticeably started to affect him on this trip but he forged through and made it the best experience he could for Ty, Audrey and himself.
The family had many good camping trips with friends/family. Who goes camping in Treherne and can still see their house 1 block away? It was because of the good times and the people who we were with. Hubert and Audrey enjoyed many good trips together but he most enjoyed the trips to Toronto to see the Hockey Hall of Fame and attend the Leafs games. The last trip was a little worrisome as he would get lost so easily or unexpectedly walk away – again the Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s in some respects was a blessing. More time spent with Audrey, his girls and their families. His brothers and sisters were so supporting and made extra efforts to visit him during his time in the care home. His big smile and his blue eyes sparkled with the hint of recognition when any of us went to visit.
Keeping his memory close are his brothers/inlaws and sisters/inlaws and their families. Cam and Celine Hutlet, Tony and Celine Hutlet, Yvonne Bisson, Marie-Rose Bisson, Eveline and Felicien Boulet, Margaret Hutlet, George Mangin, Joan Hutlet, Pauline and Barry Wasylik.
Hubert was predeceased by his Mother and Father, brothers/inlaws and sister/ inlaws – Adrien Bisson, Luc Bisson, Peggy Hutlet, Armand Hutlet, Norbert Hutlet, Emilienne Mangin
He will be dearly missed by his girls – wife – Audrey
Daughters – Nicky, Jaimie, Lindsay and Holly
Son-In-Laws – Trevor Vigar, Darryl Berard, Peck Frizzley, John Mahon
Grandchildren – Ty and Raina Vigar
Chase and Kalence Berard
Cooper, Hunter and Jax Frizzley
Kolton, Macy, Linden and Reese Mahon
His Mother-In-Law – Merle Nesbitt (he had a sweet spot for her and helped as long as he could)
And his many close friends. Rest Easy Hubert and we know you would want to finish with
GO LEAFS GO
A Celebration of Hubert’s Life will be held at a later date. Online condolence can be sent by visiting www.willmorchapel.com. Jamieson’s Funeral Services of Holland in care of arrangements.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hubert Joseph Antoine Hutlet Saturday December 26th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Holland, Province: Manitoba