With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Claude Marchand, on Saturday March 28, 2020 at 64 years of age.
Left to mourn are his wife, Joanne; sons, Joe (Neewa) and Chris (Kaylee); mother Irene; siblings; Ray (Pat), Ed, Dolores (Dave) and Denis as well as nieces and nephews. Also to mourn are Claude’s in-laws, Louise Bredl, Joe, Mike and Harold Ewanchuk. Claude was predeceased by his father Ernie.
Cremation has taken place and a private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Claude grew up the same as most every kid in the 50’s. Fighting and teasing his siblings, playing outside until the street lights came on, eating his mom’s wonderful home cooking and on the weekend, the entire family watching Hockey Night in Canada.
Growing up, Bibeau Bay was full of boys. Claude being athletic, enjoyed playing sports with all the guys. He especially enjoyed the backyard ice rink where each night neighbourhood games went as late as the parents allowed. Sports continued to be a big part of Claude’s life as a player and as a fan.
Claude attended Louis Riel High School where he met Vince and Bob who have remained lifelong friends. Claude became known as someone who was fun to be with and was always ready with a smile. His quick wit and humour were his trademark and carried him thru to the very end.
Claude started his career with the Federal Government in 1983 as a Customs Officer in Emerson, at the Canada/USA border crossing. A few years later, Claude was hired in Winnipeg as an Immigration Officer.
As an Immigration Officer Claude loved meeting and helping people. He also loved the part of his job which allowed him to work closely with the original Winnipeg Jets and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Claude also worked the Calgary Olympics, the Winnipeg Pan Am Games and spent time working in San Francisco and Ottawa.
Later, working as an enforcement officer, Claude travelled the world and joked he knew the name and price of a cold beer in every airport around the world. Many of his enforcement colleagues became lifelong friends. We all still love the photo ID with the big moustache and great hair. No man should have to lose that wonderful hair to chemo.
Claude held many positions within Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canada Border Services Agency and retired as the Manager of Integration Programs for the Prairies & Northern Territories Region. Integration Programs are all the services provided to assist new immigrants to successfully establish themselves in Canada. Claude loved his work, no matter the job title and was very proud to be a Public Servant.
Although Mr Harper decided Claude was retiring in 2012 when the Regional Office was closed, Claude continued to accept temporary duty postings until the fall of 2019. I guess now, once again, he has been forced to retire. Claude’s 37 year career had provided him with a lifetime of funny stories and his wit, charm and humour allowed him to gather many friends along the way.
At work in 1994, Claude met the love of his life Joanne and then Joanne’s wonderful children; Joe and Chris (yes, Joanne is telling this story). Joanne always joked with Claude that she let him chase her until she caught him, but Claude knew, Joanne was as in love as he. Plus, the man was gorgeous. Claude and Joanne married in 1995 and would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer.
Soon after becoming a family, Claude accepted a 2 year posting and the entire family moved to Ghana, West Africa. Life as diplomats suited all. Claude worked closely with his British and German counterparts and life-long friendships were made. Claude was forever grateful to his British counterpart Myron and Myron’s wife Lorna for taking us under their wing. We will forever remember Claude driving the family during the rainy season, by 4×4 truck, to the north of Ghana to experience a walking safari. What an adventure!!
Later, Claude and Joanne would also spend two years in Amman, Jordan where they enjoyed the people, the culture and the food. Live-long friendships were formed. While working in Jordan, Claude received the Deputy Minister’s Outstanding Award of Excellence for his part in the Gaza Evacuation of Canadians.
Claude, Joanne, Joe and Chris travelled once again by truck, thru Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt which Claude referred to as their Middle East Truck Tour.
Seeing the bombed out buildings of Lebanon, walking thru Jerusalem and Bethlehem’s rich religious history, travelling the West Bank, bargaining in the old city of Damascus, hiking thru Petra, camping in the Wadi Rum, cruising the Nile, enjoying a carriage ride around the Egyptian pyramids, immersing ourselves in the artifacts and history of The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo and floating in the Dead Sea, will always be part of our cherished memories.
Claude accepted short and long-term postings in Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Austria, Morocco, China, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Joanne travelled to most destinations with Claude and kept journals of their many adventures. Maybe this was exactly why Joanne felt such a need to record memories.
Claude treated everyone with kindness and respect and if there was a way to help people, Claude would go the extra mile. Whether you were a person being deported from Canada, the King and Queen of Jordan or the Pope, Claude tried to treat all equally.
After many farewell parties in Ghana, on our last flight out, at the airport, not only were colleagues sending Claude off with handshakes and good wishes but also runway staff and baggage handlers were coming onto the plane and walking into Business Class, to wish Claude well, to get one more handshake and one last photo of the man who treated them well. Other passengers thought Claude must be a very important person to get all this attention. He was.
Claude had many friends from lifelong boyhood friends to friends from work, sports, neighbours and colleagues from around the world. We had open invitations to visit friends in many countries.
Family was important to Claude and he tried to never miss a family dinner where he could spend time with his mom and dad, siblings Ray (Pat), Ed, Dolores (Dave), Denis and his nieces and nephews. A good debate was always on the menu.
Claude would do anything for Joanne and his boys. Claude loved being a father and he never thought of Joe and Chris as Joanne’s sons or as stepchildren.
From day one, Claude always took Chris and Joe’s side. If Joanne was upset with something the boys had done, Claude was quick to defend them. Although it was joked, if Joanne and Claude ever split up, Claude would get custody, Joanne wasn’t so sure it was a joke.
Claude fussed, when travelling in some foreign land, Joanne would find a market and decide to buy 3 of everything so each of the boys would also have one, as it meant Claude had to carry these items (usually heavy) all day long, in 100 degree heat with 100 percent humidity. He may have fussed but he did it each and every time and then loved giving the gifts.
At Christmas, gifts piled high around the tree, Joanne would say maybe we have spent enough and Claude would always say, “but it’s Christmas”.
When Joe and Chris brought their partners Neewa and Kaylee into the family, Claude instantly welcomed and loved the girls. It filled Claude’s heart to see Joe and Chris happy.
Claude was always a gentleman with a romantic soul who still washed the car for any date with Joanne, bought Joanne flowers several times a month, bought Joanne way too many gifts, always held the door for Joanne and had many fun and romantic adventures with Joanne.
A woman knows a man truly loves her when, on a regular basis, he pours them a drink and they dance the night away under the stars on the back deck or in the candle lit living room. At this very moment, I think how fantastic it is to have been loved by Claude.
Claude gave us fun and adventure, love and respect, genuineness, kindness and compassion.
Claude taught us to be gracious, to be a lady or a gentleman, always say thank you, take responsibility for your part in your troubles, rise above things, let things go, don’t hold a grudge, think the best of people and to give a person the benefit of doubt.
He taught us to believe in ourselves, we had value, that it is ok to not succeed as long as you tried, to love unconditionally, to work hard and to play.
Claude taught us it is ok to sit quietly, it is ok to be loved, it ok to be scared and it is ok to cry.
Claude tried to be a good example to the boys of how to be a good person, a good husband, a good father and a good friend. He told us often how he loved us. He gave good advice and always tried to see the big picture.
Claude never spoke an unkind or unloving word to Joanne. Claude and Joanne didn’t just love one another, they were still in love with one another.
We will miss Claude’s sense of humour, his kindness and especially his love. Claude took care of us and we knew he would do anything for us. Claude loved us dearly and deeply. When our loss is greater than our breath, there are no words that can mitigate our pain.
Claude worried more for everyone else than for himself. When Claude was told he only had 1-2 days, he battled on for 16 more days and did not leave until we had time to prepare. He took care of us until the very end. He was and always will be Joanne’s big strong man.
Thank you Mom and Dad Marchand for this wonderful man that Joe, Chris and Joanne loved.
Claude battled prostate cancer for almost 4 years. The cancer was fierce, the battle was hard, harder than anyone ever knew. The cause of death may be noted as cancer, but cancer did not beat him. Claude did not give up. Claude lived life and kept his humour until the very end but that’s a story for another day.
Claude and Joanne have travelled the world, including Egypt. The Egyptians believe you die twice; once when you take your final breath and again the last time someone says your name. The Egyptians believe your spirit lives on as long as people keep remembering you.
So have a cold beer, have a double cheeseburger plain, have a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese, be kind, be loving, dance with your partner, be a gentleman or a lady and Claude will be remembered.
Claude, you are our north star. When we are lost, we will look to you. You are there and you will guide us.
Safe travels my big strong man, I am holding your hand.
Claude and I had an amazing love story which isn’t over. I told Claude, “in the next life, I will search and find you and we will fall in love all over again, and in the next life and the next and the next……………….”
Rest in peace Habibi.
Wife (aka Joanne)
xo
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Claude Marchand Saturday March 28th 2020..

ejcoutu

Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba

death notice Claude Marchand Saturday March 28th 2020

mortuary notice Claude Marchand Saturday March 28th 2020