Obituary of Emile Greffard

Emile Leonard Greffard of Assiniboia, SK and formerly Fir Mountain, SK, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014, at the age of 86 years. Emile was born June 26, 1927 on a farm near Meyronne, to parents Irenee and Yvonne (nee Desilets) Greffard. In 1932, the family settled on a farm east of Fir Mountain. He attended school in Fir Mountain. It was at school that Emile had his first job, looking after the fire, hauling water, opening the school and raising the flag. In 1943, Emile quit school to help his father on the farm and to grade roads. Emile worked at many jobs, including working on the construction of a dam for a hydroelectric power plant at Silver Skagit near Hope, BC. He unloaded boxcars at Port Arthur, ON, hayed in the Kisbey and Arcola districts, worked in an aluminum foundry in Vancouver and hauled water for oil rigs in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. His ambition was to become a farmer, and in 1953 he returned to Fir Mountain and began hauling grain, cattle and custom combining with his dad. From 1956 until 1964, he worked for the RM of Waverley and operated the road grader. Emile married Jean Affleck on July 9, 1956 and they made their home in Fir Mountain until 1966, when they moved to the family farm. Throughout the years they had 4 children; Bill, Denise, Bob and Laurette. They were also blessed with 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. For many years, Emile was involved in various community activities. He coached several ball teams, including little league, pony league and ladies softball. Emile was one of the founders of the Bench League and was the president for many years. He was an avid curler and president of the curling club. When his kids were old enough, he was happy to have a family curling team. Emile was on the Fir Mountain hall board and was also very active in the church, where he served on the parish council, helped with the music liturgy and did repair work in and around the church. Throughout the years he was very involved with the Knights of Columbus. In their retirement years, Emile and Jean bowled with the seniors once a week in Glentworth. Emile enjoyed being on the farm looking after his chickens, dogs and cattle. He loved music and played the accordion every night. He was very proud to sing and be a part of Fr. Ducharme's Polka Masses. Jean passed away in 2006 and Emile continued to live on the farm until 2008. He spent his remaining years in the Ross Payant Nursing Home in Assiniboia. Emile is survived by his loving family, son Bill (Lynette), granddaughter Bernadette (Wes Nairne), grandson Laverne and great grandson Jaxson; daughter Denise (Wendell) Hannon, granddaughter Amberlea (Derek) Chabot, great grandchildren Taeya, Jade, grandson Shane (Morgan) Hannon, great grandchildren Brynlee, Kenzie, granddaughter Jenna (Matthew) Axten, great grandson Kai; son Bob (Vickie), grandson Jesse Greffard (Shelby McLean), grandson Justin (Laura) Greffard, great grandchildren Jenae, Shae-Lynn, grandson Jared Greffard (Chelsey Peterson), grandson Jeremy Greffard; daughter Laurette (Ron) St. Jacques, granddaughter Jocelyne St. Jacques, grandson Daniel St. Jacques, granddaughter Lyndsay St. Jacques; sisters Annette MacPherson, Eileen Liski, Madeline Scallon. Predeceased by his wife Jean Greffard (nee Affleck); parents Irenee and Yvonne (nee Desilets) Greffard; siblings Irene Brisebois, Laura Pratte, Aurore Adams, Therese Pilsner, Juliette Greffard, Leo Greffard. Prayers were held on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. and Funeral Mass on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., both at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Glentworth, SK. Presider for Prayers was Cookie Jacques. Celebrating the Mass was Father Joseph Strohhofer. Cross bearer was Rene Brisebois. Altar server was Robert St. Jacques. Readers were Amberlea Chabot and Bernadette Greffard. Intentions were read by Jocelyne St. Jacques. Offertory gifts were presented by Jenna Axten and Lyndsay St. Jacques. The eulogy was shared by Norma Yorga. The Glentworth & Community Choir was accompanied by organist Joan Stengler. Honorary pallbearers were Ken and Sylvia Flynn, Art and June Schmidt, Wallace Harden, Donnie Huyghebaert, and the Fir Mountain Ladies Softball Team. Active pallbearers were Shane Hannon, Laverne Greffard, Daniel St. Jacques, Jesse Greffard, Justin Greffard, Jared Greffard and Jeremy Greffard. An honour guard was formed by the Knights of Columbus. Interment took place at the Glentworth Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Emile to the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Box 184, Glentworth, SK S0H 1V0 and the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12th Ave., Regina, SK S4P 3X1, were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangement entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.