Marcel Robert Labbé
The family announces with sorrow his death in Sturgeon Falls on Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 at the age of 95 years.
Born, July 6, 1925 on a farm near East Angus, Quebec in a tightly bound family of 13, Marcel learned early of the importance of family and hard work. Both these priorities were reflected in his diligent commitment to community service.
His life in Ontario began with his bold immigration to Red Rock at 21 (he was unilingual at the time), where he worked his way up as a Stationary Engineer and courted the love of his life, his lifetime partner, best friend, confident and companion, Jane Callwood. They married on July 31, 1950. Together they moved to Sturgeon Falls in 1957, raised five children, and became part of the community fabric. Marcel became a Member of Council in 1964 and served for 31 consecutive years. He demonstrated his wisdom and sense of justice in his drive to have the first arena build in 1964, the first pool sponsored and built by the Kinsman in 1966, as well as in shaping our community geared-to-income housing and seniors apartments, constructing the Stats Can Building, and spear-heading the funding and construction of the Complex. Marcel also served on the Hospital Board that oversaw the building of the West Nipissing General Hospital. All of this was accomplished while working shift work and running a small business, Labbé Monuments. He is also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree, and has been honoured with several awards recognizing his contributions to the community, including The Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of Canada and the Community Recognition Award by the Chamber of Commerce.
Marcel also had a great love for the wild and being out at the “camp” hunting and bringing home moose meat and partridge for the freezer. His love of the outdoors is part of the legacy he leaves to his children and grandchildren.
But all of this does not capture the essence of Marcel Labbé, which was family. His deep and abiding love for his wife is the stuff love stories are made of. His children and grandchildren have relied on his wisdom, good nature, guidance, love and affection throughout their lives and his memory will continue to guide them. “On n’a pas tous les jours vingt ans”: Sing a bit, laugh a bit, do the right thing, and take care of each other… in our father and grandfather’s honour.
Marcel is survived by his beloved wife, Jane Labbé (Callwood). He will be sadly missed by his children: Linda (Keith Perron), Michel, Pamela Morel (Chip), Dianne (Glen Saumier), Bryan (Rhianna), and extra daughter Anne Maranda (Gerry Muller); his grandchildren: Rob (Lorna), Shayna (Brian Magill), Jessica Toth (Darnell Koch Toth), Mickayla, Daniel, Samantha Morel (Terrance Franklin), Erin Morel-Rowe (Mike Rowe), Derek Shank (Jackie Reed), Alex Shank (Lyndsey Young), Jamie Monette (Gerry), Jason Saumier, Fred, Jaycelynn; his great-grandchildren: Shannon, Taylor, Olivia and Tuukka. Marcel is survived by his brothers Gilles Labbé (Gertrude, deceased) and Bertrand Labbé (Ghislaine Fortin), and his sisters Therese Labbé-Roy (Donio), Marie Paul Labbé-Begin (Réal) and Huguette Labbé-Bouchard. Marcel is pre-deceased by his father Antonio Joseph Labbé, his mother Maria Turcotte-Labbé, his brother Jean Paul Labbé (Mary), and his sisters Cecile Labbé-Travers (Ronald), Rita Labbé-Thompson (Lawrence), Gilberte Labbé-Beaudoin (Gerald), and Madeline Labbé-Perron (Lionel).
Special Thanks to Dr. Katsuno for a lifetime of care and to the home care workers for their support. Thanks to Martin Desjardins for his help and to the loving staff at the WNGH: merci.
There will be a memorial celebration following the end of pandemic restrictions. Cremation arrangements in care Theoret Bourgeois Funeral Home, Sturgeon Falls. Contributions to the Sturgeon Falls Hospice and Palliative Care would be deeply appreciated.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marcel Labbe Wednesday November 11th 2020..
theoret bourgeois funeral home
Death notice for the town of: Sturgeon-Falls, Province: Ontario