Obituary of Raoul Lucien CHEVRIER

Raoul CHEVRIER Raoul Lucien Chevrier of Gravelbourg, SK, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2012, at the age of 90 years. Raoul was born on the family farm west of Gravelbourg June 25, 1922, the fourth child of Victor and Regina (nee Gascon) Chevrier. He attended the Aussant Country school one and a half miles from the family farm and finished his education at the College Mathieu in Gravelbourg. In 1939 Raoul did Military training in Maple Creek, SK and Camp Shilo, MB. After completing his training, Raoul was given a special pass to return to the farm to help produce more food for the Armed Forces overseas. Along with farming, Raoul worked for the local Versatile dealership assembling machinery. Raoul married Solange Lorrain on August 30, 1945, and they were blessed with 5 children. Raoul and Solange loved to dance and for many years were part of a square dance and line dance group. In addition, they played cards with relatives, friends and neighbours and traveled extensively. When Raoul retired from farming in 1980 they moved into the town of Gravelbourg, where Raoul kept busy building miniature antique wooden cars as a hobby. He sold many of his cars throughout North America and Europe and his extensive collection was showcased on CBC television. Raoul’s pride and joy was his family and he treasured time spent with his children and grandchildren. Raoul will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Raoul is survived by his loving family, wife Solange (nee Lorrain); daughter Éveline (John) Abrams; daughter Thérèse (Henry) Beaudoin; daughter Diane (Terry) Rolfe ; son Gérald (Gisele) Chevrier; daughter Marielle Chevrier; 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; brother Marcel (Simone) Chevrier. Predeceased by his parents Victor and Regina (nee Gascon) Chevrier; three brothers and two sisters: Nelson, Yvonne, René, Simone and Albert. Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., from Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK, with Father Joseph Strohhofer celebrant. The eulogy was shared by Terry Rolfe. Cross bearer was Daniel Beaubien. Urn bearer was Gérald Chevrier. Readers were Sean Rolfe and Natalie Chevrier-Williams. Prayers of the Faithful were shared by Julie Chevrier. Offertory gifts were presented by Ron Beaudoin and his daughter Claire. Communion minister was Bernadette Doran. Soloist Janique Chevrier-Wilson was accompanied by organist Denise Pittet. Interment took place at the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery, Gravelbourg, SK. Eulogy shared by Terry Rolfe (son-in-law) for Raoul Chevrier Raoul was a very hard working man throughout his life and a good provider.Farming was his life. He was meticulous in his farming practises and quite a mechanic, repairing his own equipment and inventing tools to make his life easier.He still found time to relax, whether it was square dancing in the kitchen with friends and family, playing baseball on the occasional Sunday afternoon or his favorite – playing cards. He was a perfectionist in everything he did, whether it was farming, training to be a sniper in the army, showing his kids how to pick rocks, pitch bales or operate a piece of machinery. Or in later years, teaching most of the grandkids how to drive home from the farm, regardless of their age. He was very proud of his 5 children, 10 grandchildren & 12 great grandchildren – taking a keen interest in their lives. He would always want to know how they were doing and follow their progress as much as possible considering the majority were spread far and wide. After moving into town in 1980, he needed something to occupy his time so decided to build a house with the help of his son, Gerry and friends and family. Once that was complete, he took up making old vehicles from wood. While becoming very proficient at his hobby, it wasn’t without accidents. Fingers kept on getting in the way, so he would shorten them to prevent any further interference. This made it a little difficult doing his favorite pastime of playing canasta, but being an inventive man he always found a way to get the job done. In the later years, he loved to watch others work…..he would always let us BBQ because we were doing such a good job. He would have someone drive him to the farm or into the field so he could watch to make sure the boys were doing it right. The saying is true – you can take the man away from the farm but you cannot take farming away from of the man. Through all the pain he was enduring in his final days he remained a strong and dignified man. Ralph – you will be missed. I found a poem that I would like to finish with. It is called "The Grain” I took up a handful of grain & let it slip flowing through my fingers. I said to myself, "This is what it is all about.” There is no longer room for pretence. At harvest time the essence is revealed – the straw and chaff are set aside, they have done their job. The grain alone matters – sacks of pure gold. So it is when a person dies, the essence of that person is revealed. At the moment of death, a person’s character stands out – happy for the person who has forged it well over the years. Then it will not be the great achievement that will matter, nor how much money or possessions a person has amassed. These like the straw and the chaff, will be left behind. It is what he has made of himself that will matter. Death can take away from us what we have, but it cannot rob us of who we are. Memorial tributes in memory of Raoul to St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Palliative Care Room, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 and Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Box 540, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.