It is with sweet sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our father and grandfather, Maurice Joseph Letourneau, on May 20, 2008, at Hillside Village.
Maurice was the fourth child born to Chris and Laura Letourneau on the family farm in Rosetown, SK. He grew up helping his father on the farm and at an early age became the janitor at the Glen Payne schoolhouse, which was the beginning of his entrepreneurial life. His early business ventures included, hauling gasoline from Turner Valley, AB to Rosetown; custom combining in the United States, which he did for several years and enjoyed telling the tales of his experiences during this time, for the rest of his life. This endeavour took him to several mid-western states in the heartland and as far south as Oklahoma.
Maurice married Ida Gwyn Clark on April 10th, 1947, and on September 23, 1948 they decided to purchase their own 640 acre farm in the Rosetown area.
Maurice, who always had an eye for a good deal, also bought and sold machinery, equipment, and vehicles. In 1962 he sold the farm, and decided to relocate with Ida and sons Wayne and Layne to Salmon Arm, BC. This move took him to his next business venture, when he became a contractor and constructed two 4 plexes and a duplex, at a time when very few people thought this was the smart thing to do. He proved them wrong, and these rental units continue to provide revenue for the current owners. Maurice continued building homes, with his sons now working with him, and over the next 20 years constructed in excess of 200 houses, and developed two major subdivisions.
He retired from the construction and development industry in 1984, and moved on to other things, such as restoring classic automobiles. Maurice was always a car buff and his classic 1978 Chrysler New Yorker will be kept in the family as a treasured possession.
Maurice’s enjoyment of life came from many sources. He adored animals of all kinds and preached to his sons that “you always feed your animals before you feed yourself”. He particularly enjoyed fishing with his father, and on one of their fishing trips to northern Saskatchewan, they landed two very big northern pike, which caused the resort to put their picture on their advertising brochure.
Maurice was predeceased by his mother, Laura, when he was a young child, and in the early 1970’s by his father, Chris; and later, brother, Rene and sisters, Mariette and Eva; by his wife Ida in August 1990.
He is survived by his brother Henry of Rosetown, sisters Theresa of Saskatoon and Eileen of Comox, his sons, Wayne (Eileen), Layne (Billie), five grandchildren, Jane (Jason), Todd (Tara), Chris, Lisa (Mike) and Mike, and two adorable great grand-daughters MacKenzie and Grace, all of Salmon Arm, numerous nieces and nephews, including his favourite niece, Louise Olson of Sorrento, who became the daughter Maurice never had.
A Reflection of his Life will be held in the Sockeye Room at the Holiday Inn Express on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 11:00 am, with a luncheon to follow.
As Maurice was always a “farmer” at heart, his cremated remains will be returned to Rosetown.
In lieu of flowers the family would request donations to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the local branch of the SPCA in Maurice’s memory.