Marcel Pitre

MARCEL RALPH PITRE

It is with great sadness and incredible sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Marcel Ralph Pitre, at Sunnywood Manor Personal Care Home in Pine Falls on February 16, 2025, at the age of 97 years old.

Marcel will be lovingly remembered by his children Rena Bergman (Kent Thomas), Kristen (Dennis) Waterman, and Leah (Denis) Boulet; his grandchildren Dylan (Alice), Cody (Katie), Annette and David (Annie); great-grandchildren Charlotte, Madilyn, Carter and Ellie; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret, his parents, brothers, sisters, and in-laws.

Marcel was born December 23, 1927, at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB, son of Joseph Henry Pitre and Martina (Martha) Arsenault.  Most of his upbringing was on the family farm on the outskirts of Lac du Bonnet, MB of which he had many fond memories and great stories. His schooling was mostly in Lac du Bonnet, with Grade 11 being completed in Winnipeg.  From school he took a job with a local air service which was sandwiched between cutting cordwood for sale to the mill in Pine Falls and firewood for the people of Lac du Bonnet. In 1947 he became a carpenter’s helper, working on an addition to a restaurant in Pine Falls. When this job finished, he was hired on as a painter’s helper for the townsite of the Manitoba Paper Company, later called the Abitibi-Price Paper Company.  By the time he retired on March 01, 1989, Marcel had progressed into all the trades required to look after the Company housing. 

Marcel met his wife Margaret Grieve when he picked her up at the bus station upon her arrival in Pine Falls for a position in the Royal Bank.  They were married on August 04, 1956.  Dad always said Pine Falls was the greatest place to live and raise a family.  In addition, he made time for music as he played both guitar and tuba in various bands over the years, including the local Stardusters, the Pine Falls Brass Band and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Band. Many years were spent playing dances locally and as far away as Sioux Lookout, ON. In his later years he loved to play for the seniors at various personal care homes, including Sunnywood Manor in Pine Falls.  He also loved to be outdoors and spent many hours maintaining the snowmobile and cross-country ski trails around Pine Falls as well as enjoying their use with friends. He put in many enjoyable hours carving out Pitre Park from the bush across the road from his home on Elm Street. This location became a favorite for photo ops for graduations and weddings alike.

During retirement, in addition to pursing his hobbies, Marcel and Margaret enjoyed traveling by car around the country with the main goal always to visit family and friends. Closer to home, they loved to spend their time with their four grandchildren. With the loss of Margaret in 2004, Marcel poured his love of family and home into the many stories and books that he wrote about past times and current adventures. His desire, no matter what he did, was to help and uplift others, whether it be a job to be done, or words to enlighten or entertain. His sense of humor, his stories, his willingness to help and lend a hand, endeared him to many and he will be missed.

It is with tremendous appreciation that we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the excellent care given to Marcel at Springfield Place in Oakbank, Betel Home PCH in Selkirk, the Pine Falls Hospital, and Sunnywood Manor PCH in Pine Falls over these past two years.  No matter where Dad was living, what he enjoyed most was joking and having fun with the staff.

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025  at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Georges Roman Catholic Church in St. Georges with Father Emeka Sebastien Ejie officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

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