Obituary of Francis Charles Dufresne

Francis was born on March 15th, 1941 in Westlock, Alberta. The second child born to parents Jean and Cecile Dufresne. Francis grew up in Girouxville and at the young age of 14 arrived in Chetwynd area where he started working in the Logging industry with Peter and Paul Demuelemister, with whom he worked for many years. In 1962 Francis married Myrna Gonwick and soon their first two children Debbie and Doug arrived. The family settled in Moberly Lake in 1965, homesteading on Boucher Lake road. Francis continued to work in the logging industry but also was developing the ranch in his spare time. The family welcomed another child Christine, during these ranch years. About 1976 Francis bought his first CAT a D7E. This allowed him to do more work locally and spend more time with his family. Francis continued on many road working projects for West Fraser and other companies and became highly skilled as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. Francis started ranching in the late 60's and carried on through the years developing his heard to a peak of about 270 head by the late 90's, all the while continuing with his contract work. In 2005 Francis sold the F-Bar-D ranch, staying on as ranch manager up to the time of his death on July 31st, 2007. Thank you to all of you who came to share and celebrate the life of our dad, who he was as a man and a father and to thank him for all that he has given us. We are filled with fond memories of him and we will forever remember him with pride for all that he accomplished in his life, the honesty, integrity and honour with which he carried himself. He was a man who did things his own way and in his own time. He did what he knew to be right, spoke his mind, and didn't make excuses. Many knew him for his generosity and willingness to help his neighbours, and to him you were his neighbour no matter where you lived. He was a man that expressed his emotions in few words, but those of you who knew him well know just how big his heart was. Our dad loved his work, and his life moved with the tempo of the seasons. But above all else he loved his family. He taught us to be strong, work hard and have self-respect. These gifts will always be with us, and we will pass them on to our own children. Dad, we miss you, love you and we are proud of you. We hope that you have found peace. Francis leaves behind his children, Debbie, Doug and Chrissy, eight grandchildren, Sister Jean, Brother Andy and their families and many friends. A funeral service was held on Saturday, August 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Chetwynd, B.C. Fr. David John officiated. Interment will be at a later date. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium.