Henri-Paul’s Obituary
It is with much sadness, we announce the passing of our father, Henri-Paul Blanchette on February 23, 2022. Long time resident of the Girouxville / Falher area, he passed away in Valleyview Health Center, at the age of 93 years.
Henri-Paul was born in Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil, co. Drummondville, Québec, on December 23, 1928, eldest son of Hervé and Alice (Faucher) Blanchette. He embarked on the first CN train to Girouxville along with his mother, at the tender age of 6 months, one of the first settlers to move out west as his father, Hervé, took up a farming homestead west of Girouxville, the land of opportunity! Those early years were tough, living through the depression of the 30s, trying to survive on the new land that had to be brush cut to start their dream of farming. Henri-Paul started school at the age of 7, attending the rural school of École Gauthier, situated only two miles from their home. In 1948, École Gauthier closed its doors and the students all began to attend school in the hamlet of Girouxville, a 2 classroom school for all the rural children.
Henri-Paul, now 14 years of age and a senior student, was put in charge of driving the horse and cutter (aka school buggy) to transport himself along with his neighbors along the way to school. He held this job for the next 3 years.
After finishing his grade eight, he quit school and began helping his father on the farm full-time. At a young age, he developed a very good work ethic and would go help the neighbors only 1 mile up the road, who had no children of their own, pulling out weeds in the fields for a mere 25 cents a day and fed two good meals. He’d pedal home on his new bicycle that he purchased on his own with the money he had earned, after 2 years of trapping rabbits and selling their furs and carcass for 10 cents a rabbit.
As a young adult he worked various jobs, working in lumber camps during the winter months and spring and fall he would help his father on the farm and also on Mr. Bolster’s threshing crew from Watino. He would drive the large team of 8 horses that pulled the wagon with a rack collecting all the neighbors’ grain ‘stooks’ bundles and haul it over to the threshing machine to harvest the grain. His love of farming grew stronger from this point. In December 1947, barely 19, he acquired his own government lease on a half section of land (320 of bush). He then spent the next few years opening up the land little by little obtaining titles in only 7 short years.
In 1955, now 27 years of age, he met and married Annette Lafrance on Oct 17, 1955, she had recently moved to the area herself originating from the St. Paul (Alberta) area. She-too-had grown up on a grain and dairy cattle farm. A match made in Heaven!
From their union, they raised 7 children, 5 boys 2 girls. The family and farm grew over the years with the addition of a hog barn and chickens.
Henri-Paul and Annette retired off the farm in 1985 at age 58, moving to the hamlet of Girouxville. There, he continued to help his boys on the farm as an operator wherever needed. He then began and enjoyed serving his community as Director then President of the local Credit Union (25 years) also as Director for the East Peace Gas Co-op (28 years, to date the longest serving Director). He was also Director for the Co-op St. Isidore in its early formation years and the first President for the S.A.R.D.A. (Smoky Applied Research Demonstration Application) organization that was formed in 1986. One of his greatest achievements was serving 9 years on the Girouxville Town Council, first 3 years as Director and next 6 years as the Mayor. Finally, he was a Knight of Columbus for many years earning his 4th Degree designation.
In 2011, after 25 years, they left Girouxville and moved to Falher to reside at the Villa Beauséjour Seniors Lodge. He lost and made many good friends along his journey. In 2022, he finally moved to South Valley Residence in Valleyview, to join his wife for what would only be a few short weeks until his passing. He loved his family and farming more than anything and leaves a beautiful large legacy behind.
Henri-Paul was predeceased by his parents, Hervé and Alice (Faucher) Blanchette, sister Simone Limoges Smathers, son-in-law Michel Lavoie, grandsons Robert Blanchette, Stephane Blanchette and Normand Blanchette.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Annette (Lafrance) Blanchette; children Maurice (Nicole) Blanchette, Albert (Donna) Blanchette, Pauline Lavoie, René (Diane) Blanchette, Camille (Dolores aka Sam) Blanchette, Doris (Clement Jr.)Aubin, Roger (Angela) Blanchette.
A Celebration Mass of Henri-Paul’s life will take place on March 5th at 2pm at the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Church in Girouxville.
*Due to building renovation fire code restrictions, attendance will be limited to family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Parish (PO Box 159, Girouxville AB, T0H 1S0) as expressions of sympathy.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Henri-Paul Blanchette December 23 1928 February 23 2022..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Valleyview, Province: Alberta