Obituary of Clarence Dumouchel

B I O G R A P H Y DUMOUCHEL:: C.O. “Ken” Dumouchel, was born in Rutherglen, Ontario on August 26, 1909 and passed away at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on June 5, 2005 at the age of 95. He was the middle child in a family of 11 children. He is survived by; his loving wife of 63 years, Margaret (Campbell); three children: Doreen Dubreuil of Biggar, Alan and Sheila Dumouchel of Peace River, and Doug and Kathy Dumouchel of Lloydminster, six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one sister; one sister-in-law; one brother-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service was conducted from the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta with Pastor Anne Laird and Reverend Harold Martin officiating. Honorary pallbearers were the Lloydminstrals. Pallbearers were the grandchildren and spouses: Kent Dubreuil, Shauna and Brad Ebelher, Blaine and Janis Dubreuil, Angela and Ron Cottrell, Dan Doumouchel and Tricia Dumouchel. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy (Summarized) Dad’s family moved west on the train in 1912 and settled in Coleville, Saskatchewan in 1914. He attended Normal School in Regina in 1928 for teacher training. His first teaching position was in 1929 in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. Other teaching positions followed in Beaufield, Coleville, and at the Prairie Bible School in Three Hills, Alberta. In 1936 he attended a Technical School of Engineering in Chicago. Working on his uncle’s farm in Pembroke, Ontario occupied most of his time until he returned to Coleville in 1938 to assist with the family business. Dad and Mom were married in 1941. Doreen and Allan were born in Kindersley. With Coleville not growing and the future in doubt, Dad took a Municipal Works Course. Dad and Mom moved to Mayfair, Saskatchewan to the Rural Municipality of Meeting Lake. I appeared on the scene at Hafford. In 1955 Dad accepted the position of Assistant City Clerk in Lloydminster under Mr. Bill Cardiff. One last career move occurred in 1959 as he became the Secretary-Treasurer of the Rural Municipality of Wilton in Marshall, Saskatchewan. He retired in 1974. Dad’s intellect, interests, skills and attitude were amazing. They assisted him in leading a rich and balanced life that included a long and generally happy retirement. Overall, Dad was best known for his singing. He sang his first solo as a youngster and has been involved in many duets, trios, quartets, and choruses over the years right up until a few weeks ago when he was last with his beloved Lloydminstrals. Dad had an excellent ability to harmonize and particularly enjoyed Barbershop music. He loved Grace Choir and served the United Church with his strong, capable tenor voice. Sports were important also. He played ball as a child and was particularly good at racquet sports, especially badminton. Hunting and fishing were quiet, reflective activities shared with favourite people intermingled with short periods of excitement and good conversation. Dad and Mom curled together earlier and bowled when they moved to Lloydminster. After retiring, Dad took up golf and it quickly evolved into his favourite pastime until vision difficulties made it impossible. In the early TV days, Dad watched Stampede Wrestling. He enjoyed it when good won out over evil. Even in the last decade with his macular degeneration, Dad liked watching baseball and curling on TV as he could keep track of the action if he sat very close to the screen. Travel was a highlight for Dad. Many adventures were goals Dad and Mom set out and worked hard for. Dad’s favourites were tours to Europe including the Holy Land. Trips to Hawaii and Florida generated special memories and regular March vacations in Victoria were highly anticipated for several years. Dad loved to read. He enjoyed poetry and could quote several different works. When he could no longer read, audiotapes from the CNIB were a great joy and sense of comfort. We viewed Dad as a great supporter and companion. He always attended Doreen’s diverse musical programs at school and church. He supported Allan in his years of sports participation and his time in the Militia. Dad always supported me in my enthusiasm for sports. Through many hours at home, at the farm, at Loon Lake, and occasionally at Peace River and Williams Lake, he supported the development of his grandchildren. Dad loved his extended family as well and was keenly interested in family history. Grandpa Dumouchel stayed with our family for his last few years. Dad happily drove us regularly to Kindersley, Saskatoon and Edmonton. We made it to the west coast from White Rock to Washington State and Los Angeles to visit Dumouchel relatives and to Iowa to visit the Campbell clan. Dad and Mom made several trips to visit Dumouchel relatives in the East. Dad had excellent wood working skills, creating several pieces of furniture for his children and grandchildren. An addition to the cabin at Loon Lake was his biggest project. Dad was also very good at fixing appliances and virtually anything with an electric motor. Many friends at Fellowship Village have benefited from his expertise. Dad had a great sense of pride in his work. Many warm relationships were developed in the communities that he served in. Dad particularly enjoyed many of the reeves and councilors at the RM of Wilton and had a profoundly powerful business relationship of mutual respect with Joe McLean, Q.C. of Lloydminster. Dad’s priorities were family, work, and church but he believed in supporting the comunity. He belonged to the Fish and Game Association, served Seniors’ groups, participated in activities at Fellowship Village, and financially supported the Hospital Foundation, the Border Tile Project, the Leisure Centre, the Vic Juba Theatre, and the Multiplex. I have always had a great sense of pride in my father. Like any child, I looked up to him and all the things he could do. I was amazed at his ability to perform so comfortably in public. He dutifully drove all those years to Marshall even on Saturday mornings long before commuting was such a common way of life for so many. Dad’s greatest concern in the last while has been Mom’s health. When Dad began to decline quickly, after being released from hospital with a good prognosis, he was ready to leave this earthly existence. However, when the doctors gave him hope and medical options, he graciously accepted some discomfort for a chance to regain his normal health and be with Mom. Typically, he was thinking of others and hoped that something could be learned from his situation that could benefit others somewhere down the road. We thank God that he did not have to suffer too much or too long. Card of Thanks: Thank you to Pastor Anne and Reverend Harold, Grace United Church Choir, Jean Weeks and Irene Knowlson for their participation in the funeral service. Thank you to the United Church ladies who served lunch. A sincere thank you to the McCaw family. To all friends and relatives who expressed sympathy in a multitude of ways, thank you. Donations in memory of Ken may be made to the Grace United Church or to the CNIB.