Obituary of Ed Guillet

Dad was born Joseph Rene Edouard Guillet on Monday, October 20, 1919 in Domremy, Saskatchewan to Henri and Jeanne Guillet. He was the eldest of the 3 boys, with 3 older sisters, and one younger sister. He was raised on a farm 2.5 miles from school. He used a dog & sled for transportation to and from school. This worked fine until one day a jack rabbit crossed the road, which turned into a pretty wild ride! At age 14 he had to leave school to help out on the farm. All field work was done with horses. He loved horses but soon tired of farming after so many years of crop failure, grasshopper and early frost. He then tried his hand at working in the bush, first in Bannock Saskatchewan, and then in Ontario for 3 or 4 months. He worked in the logging industry in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta & BC for the rest of his life. Mom & Dad knew each other from a very young age. Mom recalls dancing with Dad at a house party when she was 12 years old. This was the start of many years of dancing with one another. They were married April 13, 1943. Mom & Dad set a beautiful example for all of us. They had a true and lasting love for each other, and taught us how to respect our partners and our children Now here comes the kids!!!!! The first five children, Dennis, Ernest, Donnie, Leslie & Sharyn were born in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. They then moved to Alberta where Norman & Jeanette were born. Dad bought a gravel truck and hauled gravel when they were building the Peace River hill. In the spring of 1958 Dad & Dennis ventured west to look for work and a place to make a living. They found work the day they arrived in Little Prairie at Dave Armstrong's planer mill. They loaded up all the kids and made the move. This is where they stayed. Sandy, Laurelle, Eddie & Kevin were born in Dawson Creek. Dad went into the sawmill business and had his own logging show. He worked as a lumber grader at Canfor and from there worked as a faller until retirement at age 64. He was a devoted Catholic and volunteered his services in many church community projects, such as building the first Our Lady of Peace Church in Chetwynd and Camp Emile in Moberly Lake. He also worked the Bingo's and took collections at church. It goes without saying that raising 11 children could not have been easy. Our parents worked very hard but still made time to take us on little getaways. Jeanette remembers camping and trips to Saskatchewan and down to Squamish. The kids will always be grateful for those times. Dad had a language all of his own which was endearing to his friends and family. "Denamite" comes in small packages! There was not a dull moment to be had if you were part of Dad's life. He always enjoyed life and in his words, "Was always having fun no matter what we did!" Now, to provide a few examples The boys as preschoolers tried to follow dad to work quite often. One day Dad hid in the bush growling and shaking the willows. The boys were on the run and headed for home. They told Mom, "There was a bear in the bush and he was wearing a cap just like Dad!" Ernest remembers the time a squirrel went up the aerial pole and they wanted Dad to get it down. Dad climbed up the roof of the old house and was doing quite the jig, while obtaining numerous scratches as the squirrel went down his back and came out the bottom of his pant leg! Norm remembers being the age of ten or eleven when Dad first took him hunting on foot. If Dad stepped on a dry branch and it broke, they'd keep on going. But, if Norm stepped on one and it snapped, Dad would turn around and Normie would get "the look." One morning at Sundance Lake while having breakfast, a bear passed fifteen feet from the porch. Dad was growing worms for fishing and went out in his housecoat, slippers and broom chasing the bear away from his treasure box of worms. Its been said that the long haired bear was a grizzly! Luckily the bear didn't turn on him. Sandy and Mom were waiting at A&W for Dad to get his license renewed. When he was finished, he met up with them. Mom asked how it went. Dad said fine, but with restrictions. Dad told Mom, "I'm not allowed to carry back seat drivers!" Dad ventured out on many outdoor trips with his sons and their families. These trips included, but were definitely not limited to, camping and fishing at Williston and Trimble Lake, three-wheeling and snowmobiling into Redfearn, and hunting in the Sukunka Valley. Most of his trips were down North rather than Up South. Dad was always worried about how mudder was doing at home while he was away. He didn't have to worry as she was always busy crocheting Afghanistan's. Story time was always a favourite for the Grandkids. After many a stories being told in Edmonton at Tammy's, Rialey told Grandpa that "he was the cutest!" Grandpa sat up straight and replied, "I am NOT a nudist!" He was known to be "a little" hard of hearing. Dad like many people of his era loved recycling, like picking bottles, looking for scrap metal, old batteries or anything that could be re-used We remember coming home from church on Sunday and picking bottles on the way. One day Dad was to take Wayne out fishing, but along the way, started picking bottles, and pretty soon they ended up with a load of bottles and the end of the day! Dad's beloved hobby of peeling copper was a favourite pastime over the past few years. He was able to spend time with his old friend Scotty Brewster...peeling copper and reminiscing. Dad always played hockey as a youngster. Homemade rinks were not uncommon. He was the biggest armchair coach around. He could have put Don Cherry (minus the suits) right out of business. He was an avid Montreal Canadians fan but at some point, made the switch to the Canucks. Many evenings were spent watching hockey and Mom and Dad's. He always welcomed people into his home, but remember "Any beer in the fridge was Ken's." It didn't matter if you bought it or not, it's Ken's. Dad was a protector and provider, yet caring and loving. Even the smallest gesture like a kiss on the cheek was not left without a "tank you." If you look up amazing in the "McGuiness" Book of World Records, you'll find our Dad. Collin said in hospital Grampa will be up there giving Jerris heck for stirring up dust with his quad. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Irene, 11 children, 29 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 sisters and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Ed passed away on June 27, 2011 at the age of 91 years. A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Fr. Vener Sabocan officiated. Cremation followed, interment will be held at a later date.