Obituary of Gilbert Bouvier

Our Dad, Gilbert Bouvier, who by many, was lovingly referred to as Tex, was born to Xiste and Helene Bouvier on April 11, 1938. He was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba and raised with his 6 siblings Jeannine, Yvon, Romeo, Juliette, Agnes and Alain. In 1940, the family moved to Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan where the family remained. Growing up he had a close relationship with his siblings who always were a significant presence throughout his life. Dad entered into the workforce as a young man. At that time he worked in the construction industry as well as hauling rocks for Diefenbaker Dam with his brother Romeo. 

On November 8, 1961 Dad married our Mom, Louise Bouvier. Soon after, Mom and Dad started their family. They moved from Gravelbourg, Coderre and Bridgeford, Saskatchewan before finally settling in Lafleche where they remained. They chose to live in Lafleche as dad started the business, Bouvier Redi-Mix. Dad’s primary passion and livelihood; however, was farming.

Dad was always a social magnet. He loved talking to people and making new friends everywhere he went. He also worked with John Deere selling farm equipment for a period of time and through this occupation got to know fellow farmers all over the province.  

Mom and Dad were always entertaining family and friends who were regularly treated to elaborate feasts with drinks always flowing. And, if you knew how to play his favourite game of crib, he was always willing to give you a chance to lose a dollar. Dad was very competitive and loved to win which he did the majority of the time; so anytime any of us won or better yet skunked him it was definitely something to celebrate. 

Dad never sat still!! He loved to travel and was always taking Mom from one destination to another whether she wanted to or not! Some favourite trips of course included snowmobiling adventures in Yellowstone, Casino trips, Fishing trips to BC and Tobin Lake, yearly snowbird Arizona excursions, the infamous European John Deere trip and River Cruise, Mexico, Cuba and the Mediterranean. 

Dad loved to watch the market and invest money. His financial success was something he took great pride in. He started from very modest roots literally having nothing to his name to becoming an entrepreneur and having success in most of his endeavours.

One thing Dad will always be remembered for was his sense of humour. Dad loved to laugh and like his brother Romeo and his brother-in-law Rene he enjoyed off colour humour which he has definitely passed on to us kids as well as his grandchildren.

Dad led a full life and enjoyed to live each day to the fullest and by his own rules. He had a strong presence and it is not one to ever be forgotten. Everyone who knew Dad definitely has a story or two to tell about him. He leaves to grieve his wife of 61 years: Louise and his children: Gilles and his wife Brenda, Jeannette, Anita and her husband Dale, and myself, Nicole. He also leaves to grieve his grandchildren: Alexa, Michael (Kalie), Jennifer (Dean), Danica, Noelle (Justin), Zachary, Reanne (Jordan), Delaina and Carson as well as great grandchildren Kaiden, Blossom, Riker and Astrid. Dad was predeceased by his parents Xiste and Helene, his siblings Romeo, Yvon, Juliette and Agnes as well as his granddaughter Autumn. He will also be missed by his sister Jeannine, brother Alain, brother-in-law Rene and countless friends and relatives.

A Celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Saturday June 17, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m. at the Lafleche Wood River Memorial Hall located at 225 1st Street West. 

We would like to extend our absolute gratitude and appreciation to the staff, nurses and Dr. Pillay of St. Joseph’s Hospital for the compassionate and the exceptional care provided for Dad while he lived his last days at St. Joseph’s. Memorial donations in Dad’s memory can be gifted to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Box 810 Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan SOH 1XO.