Leonard Gendre

LEONARD GENDRE

Born October 29, 1932 in the francophone community of St. Claude, Manitoba to Ulysse and Rosanna (Lambert), the 12th of 16 children. His rural childhood in a large family was the beginning of his life-long love of the outdoors, physical activity, and helping others.  He enjoyed playing baseball, earning money to buy his uniform by selling animal pelts from his traps and shoveling coal at the local convent. He was an excellent marksman with a slingshot, protecting the crabapple tree in the yard from the cedar waxwings who came to feast.  

He had fond memories of summers spent with his sister Alice and her family and working on the railway with his Uncle Rudy.  His attention to detail and turning out sharply dressed started early, with him pressing his pants before high school each morning.  In the winter, he would often get up early, break the ice in the wash basin, start the fire and make the rice pancakes from the dough his mom had made and set out the night before. 

After completing High School, Len left the familiarity of his farming town and with a loan of $20 and a suitcase from his brother Noe, headed north to work first as a clerk and later, after earning his credentials, as an accountant for San Antonio Gold Mine at Bissett Manitoba.  He celebrated his 23rd birthday by marrying his sweetheart Irene Menard of Fannystelle. Together they built a life in Bissett where they enjoyed community activities like curling, dancing and bridge. They made lifelong friends and welcomed six children into the world. Always a lover of nature, he quickly took to fishing, hunting and other outdoor adventures at his doorstep, usually in the company of newfound friends Harry, Jim and George. Family activities included drives to the beaches at Wallace Lake and Manigotagan. 

For a short time he owned a bakery, and when he could not afford the baker, learned how to make all the offerings. Years later, it was always an exciting time at home when he would pull out a recipe and make several dozen butterfly buns - the kitchen table covered with pans of rising sweet dough.  He approached baking as he did all tasks in life: with high expectations, attention to detail, hard work and a sense of humour. 

When the gold mine closed, he once again had to take a risk and leave behind the familiar, taking on the role of Chief Accountant at Tantalum Mining Corporation at Bernic Lake, Manitoba. The family moved to nearby Lac du Bonnet where Len and Irene lived for the next 47 years. These were busy years with a growing family. He continued to enjoy fishing and hunting, now with his son Michel as a partner.  The return home, with their catch, was always an exciting time as he spoke and taught about the prairie chickens, pickerel and jackfish as he dressed and filleted them.  

He was full of good humour and mischief.  With a twinkle in his eye he would share a story and enjoy a hearty laugh. He loved being surrounded by family and friends who were always welcome.  Family dinners were opportunities not to just discuss our day, but also politics, sports and a good story. Sundays, always a day of rest, would usually be spent as a family on a drive, a picnic in the Whiteshell, a trip to the beach or a boat ride down the river.  Crib, crokinole and teaching us dances would brighten a cold winter day.

The bounties of nature were always a draw for him. A die-hard blueberry picker, he would head out in the morning with ice cream pails over each handle of his bicycle to his secret patch and come home later with the fresh harvest enjoyed with large amounts of cream. 

A vegetable garden took up a sizable portion of the yard each year. He liked to experiment with different crops, but always grew lettuce, radishes, peas, beans, onions, beets, carrots, potatoes, and of course tomatoes in neat, straight rows.  In winter he continued to enjoy curling for a time, and took up snowmobiling as a sport, belonging to the local snowmobile club for many years. It was in Lac du Bonnet that he took up cross-country skiing, a sport he enjoyed well into his 80s. 

Always open to new challenges, he tried his hand at water-skiing, making several trips around the river before signaling he was ready to head back to the dock. For a time, he tried his hand at growing and harvesting wild rice. He built a smoker in the yard and began to experiment with seasoning and smoking all types of fish and meat.  

Retirement presented the opportunity to make the most of Manitoba’s four seasons. As soon as the snow melted, he would be venturing out in the bush, to find the perfect Y-shaped willow branches to fashion slingshots. He spent summers tending his vegetable garden and sharing his tips and tricks with the grandchildren on dealing with pests and harvesting.  He maintained a manicured  lawn and continued feeding the birds, enjoying the many finches, jays, nuthatches and the occasional Baltimore Oriole. His slingshot skills came in handy when squirrels dared to interfere with his bird feeder.  With his chair near the patio door, his slingshot and a small dish of shot was always within reach.  

Len maintained a licence and a hunting stand for many years, although mostly just to be outdoors, always returning with a story of encounters and renewed energy. He also enjoyed tinkering in his garage, and quiet time in the evenings sitting on the swing by the river with Irene.

A joyful and devoted Pepere, his lucky grandchildren have many precious memories of being welcomed to Pepere and Memere’s to enjoy summers spent lazing by the water, swimming, fishing and the odd water fight.   A proud Canadian, Pepere’s annual Canada Day flag-raising and the community festivities were always a highlight, capped off with a bonfire in the evening. In winter he always made sure the slope from the house down to the river was ready for sledding, had the snowmobile ready for a faster sledding experience, and even afforded them the opportunity to try ice fishing, skating and hockey.  When it was time to leave, he always took our keys, warmed up the cars and brushed off the snow, ensuring our journey would be comfortable and safe. 

An extremely hard working man of high integrity, Len approached challenges with pride, dignity and determination. He possessed a strong but quiet faith. He was a dedicated husband and father who taught his children through his actions, instilling values and principles that have guided them through life. He will be forever cherished and missed.

Len passed away on February 13th at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface, having returned to his French Catholic roots.  He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Irene and his children Michel (Arlene), Colette, Paulette Mazur (Bruce), Lorraine, Anita Seaford (Kevin) and Monique (Nelson Kalin).  He also leaves nine grandchildren, Trevor, Steven Harms (Holly), Jacqueline Mazur, Sarah McKay (Xavier), Christine Harms (Josh), Sean McKay, Nelson Seaford, Jonathan Mazur, and Jessica Seaford; two great-grandchildren, Allison and Nolan Harms. He also leaves to mourn his sisters, Rose Delorme and Celine Beaudette.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 4588 Roblin Blvd.  Private interment to follow at Notre Dame Catholic Cemetery, Selkirk.

The family asks anyone wishing to make a donation in Len’s memory to consider Parkinson Canada or The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.