Obituary of Brian BeBeau

Brian Andrew BeBeau, 74, of Assiniboia, SK passed away unexpectedly in Regina, SK on February 18, 2024.  Loved ones left to hold his memory close include his wife Verna, daughter Michelle (Jody) Friemark, Brett BeBeau, Devin (Krista) BeBeau; grandchildren Carter (Jerrica) Freimark, Corey Freimark, Jaclyn (Brett) Roach; Jaycie (Justin) Hodel; Madison (Kaylor) Freimark, Shayna (Shadoe) Konan, Brayden (Morgan) BeBeau, Ayana (Zack) BeBeau, Nerissa BeBeau, Bostin BeBeau; and great-grandchildren Everly and Harlow Roach; Connor Hodel; Emberlee, Dawsyn, and Keira Konan; Blaike, Beckham, Beckett, and Bowie BeBeau; and Haven Fleury. Along with siblings Yvonne Fender, Denyce Coldwell, Beverly (Les) Coldwell, Blaine (Yvonne) BeBeau, Brenda (Mike) Newman, and sister-in-law Joan BeBeau; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  

He is preceded in death by his parents Louis “Buck" and Marion; parents-in-law Eleanor and Harold Moore; brothers Wilfrid and LaVerne, brothers in law Harvey Fender and Edmund Coldwell, and sister-in-law Kathleen BeBeau, 

Brian was born in Park Falls, Wisconsin on April 9, 1949 to Louis “Buck” and Marion BeBeau. In 1952 the family moved to Canada settling in Willows, Saskatchewan where they owned and ran BeBeau’s General Store. Brian attended the Willows School until it closed and then the Assiniboia Roman Catholic School.

Brian met the love of his life, Verna Moore, on November 11, 1966. Shortly after they met, he told his mom that he was going to marry that girl.  On August 16, 1969 he did marry her and they spent the next 54 years building their life together in Assiniboia and farming their land outside of Limerick.  In 1973 they welcomed their first child Michelle and over the next three years they added Brett and Devin to the family. Brian was a proud and dedicated father, always putting his children’s needs ahead of his.  Family time was the best time.  Many memories were made taking trips to Alaska, Wisconsin and Hawaii, as well as spending summers at Thomson Lake. He made sure that every Christmas was as special as it could be. The traditions created will forever be passed down.

Brian started working at John Deere when he was 15 years old. He started cleaning and organizing parts all while learning the ins and outs of the machinery. In 1975 he bought into Southern Equipment where he would proudly run the parts department for the next 31 years. There were many family dinners interrupted by after hour parts calls, but he never complained as he knew how important it was for his customers to get the part they needed. On Friday afternoons, you’d often find Brian and his partners enjoying a few drinks upstairs in the office telling stories and laughing the week away. His sense of humour and distinctive laugh were two of his best traits.

He was fortunate to travel the world with his John Deere family and continued to travel with Verna after his retirement in 2006. They spent their winters RVing in Arizona where many new friendships were formed. Their last vacation together was to Toronto in September 2023. Together they explored the city and watched the Blue Jays play baseball. Brian was a trooper, always hauling around the many packages Verna would purchase.

Brian was a true outdoorsman spending his free time fishing, hunting, and trap shooting. He was a founding lifetime member of the Assiniboia Trap Club and won many division shoots across North America at the provincial, state, and national levels. He spent many years teaching the youth around Assiniboia hunter safety and was a member of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. Conservation was important to him, and he could often be found raising and releasing pheasants and volunteering with Ducks Unlimited.  

While Brian had many passions in life, his true passion was his family. His steadfast love for them was undeniable. From the time his children were born, up until the day he passed, there wasn't anything he wouldn’t do to for them. He lived his life for his family and spent as much time as possible with them. Being together for the little things was just as important to him as being together for the big things. Brian and Verna put many miles travelling to watch their grandchildren compete in hockey and football games and attended as many piano recitals and drama productions as they could. Brian passed on many lifelong lessons that will forever be cherished by his family and friends.

Prayer Service Thursday, February 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Mass Friday, February 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m. both at St. George’s Roman Catholic Church in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Private Family Interment at Mount Hope Cemetery Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Donations in memory of Brian to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation In care of Cardiac Rehabilitation 55 Diefenbaker Drive Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2 were greatly appreciated.