NORMAN PHILLIP COLLETTE

C'est avec regrets que nous annonçons le décès de Norman Phillip Collette le 11 janvier 2025 à Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It is with regret that we announce the passing of Norman Phillip Collette on January 11, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Fils d’Ovila Collette & Cécile (Berard)

Son of Ovila Collette & Cécile (Berard)

Laisse dans le deuil son Épouse

Leaves to mourn his beloved wife

Thérèse (née Curé)

Enfants/Children

Paul (Nancy), Lionel (Murielle) & Natalie Kalyniuk. 

Petits enfants/Grand Children

Paul:

Leanne Burns, 

Corey (Rayna) McArthur,

Deanna-Lynn (Matthew) Gerbrandt 

Jory (Angela) & Julian (Amanda)

Lionel: 

Katina (Raphaël) Gagné

Vanessa (Alex) Petsch

Danika (Dominic) Iloabuchi

Nicolas (Alana)

Tamika

Natalie: 

Kaitlyn

Adrian (Jacee)

Arrières petits enfants/Great Grand Children

Paul/Leanne: Braeden

Paul/Corey: Tarryn, Daenerys, Adakyss

Constance & Xennon

Paul/Jory: Jaynelle, Tayvia & Ciryn

Paul/Deanna-Lynn: Gibson, Whittaker & Sampson.

Lionel/Katina: Maël, Émika & Mickël.

Lionel/Vanessa: Merrick, Kaden & Oaklan.

Lionel/Danika: Chukwuma, Chinedu & Nnamdi

Laisse aussi dans le deuil  la famille de -

Also leaves to mourn the -

Lucien & Olive Curé Family.

Le Frère de/Brother of -

+Rose-Marie Renwick

Pauline (+Jean-Paul) Cadieux

Eveline (Jean-Paul) Gauvin

Thérèse Collette-Beaupré

Rita (Gilles) Marion

+Doris Adair

Irène Grégoire

Alain (Huguette) Collette

Carol (Robert) Nolette

Robert (Gloria) Collette

Donald (Jocelyne) Collette

Norman was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, Council Goulet No. 3686 since 1972, serving as Grand Knight in 1979-80 and 1984-85, and was Deputy State of Manitoba from 1997 to 1999.

Célébration de la Vie - le 23 janvier 2025 à 19h. Messe des Funérailles - le 24 janvier 2025 à 13h, Église Saints-Martyrs-Canadien, Winnipeg, MB. La messe des funérailles sera diffusée sur le site web de la paroisse de Saints-Martyrs-Canadien (YouTube). Officiating - Father Christian Mutombo.

Celebration of Life - on January 23, 2025, at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass - on January 24, 2025, at 1 p.m., Saints-Martyrs-Canadien Church, Winnipeg, MB. Funeral mass will be streamed on YouTube on the Saints-Martyrs-Canadien website. 

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Bonjour, thank you all for being here today to honor and remember the life of Norman. We gather today to celebrate the incredible person he was and the many lives he touched. Nous aimerions prendre quelques minutes pour refléter sur une vie bien vécu.

Norman Philip Collette was born on December 29th, 1941, in Ste-Elizabeth. His life on the farm was filled with hard work, laughter, and many cherished memories of school, everyday moments spent with his family, and time on the farm—memories he loved to share with his grandkids and great – grandkids.

In 1962, Norman met the love of his life, Thérèse, on a blind date. He quickly knew he wanted to spend his life with her, so in order to raise the funds to purchase a ring to propose with, he sold his pigs to be able to procure the ring he believed would be suitable for Thérèse. She said yes, and they were married on June 20, 1964. Shortly after, they moved to Cochenour, Ontario, where Norman worked very hard in the gold mines. Once he got a handle on the job, Thérèse and Norman decided to purchase a printing company, which he would operate in the evenings and on weekends. And if you’d think that would keep him busy… this was also the time when they had their first child, Paul, and their second, Lionel, who was swinging next to Thérèse as she sorted all the press blocks.

In 1969, they returned to Manitoba, where they welcomed their third child, ‘sa petite fille, Natalie’. Norman continued his career in the printing industry with Manitoba Pool Elevators.

Son ordinateur, la mise en page et l’imprimerie lui apportait beaucoup de joie. ---Object de confort----la seconde que Norman a appris de notre mariage il a offert de faire les billets de social, il a aussi fabriqué des cartes de fête et invitations pour ses proches. Il veillait toujours à ce que tout soit prêt bien à l’avance. La ponctualité et l’organisation étaient très importantes pour lui.

Once retired, he worked as a school bus driver and took on many construction jobs. He was generous with his time, helping many, and building beautiful objects. He even built cub cars with the Scouts. For his children, he helped build homes, additions, and carried out many renovations. Y’en en fait des belles armoires!

Norman was a tinkerer – always working on something. There was no need to call a plumber, carpenter, engineer, or electrician. If he didn’t know how, he would learn, and he always finished what he started, without procrastination. He even went to university to meet with a professor and learn how to build greens for the Rat River Golf Course. He took the initiative to build the first green. Yen a patenté des choses dans sa vie!

Norman was a man who worked tirelessly his entire life. Some might even call him obsessive. When something mattered to him, he put his heart and soul into it. Take his garden, for example. He didn’t just plant it – he meticulously planned it for months. In December, he’d order his seeds, start them indoors in early spring, and by the end of May, he was ready to go. It wasn’t just about the seeds that went into the ground. He would build a small picket fence to keep his favorite little enemy – the rabbit – out. Everything had its place. There were also the perfectly aligned flowerpots filled with lush greenery and colourful blooms, barrels to capture rainwater, and compost bins. He liked simple designs (pas de fla-fla).

C’était un homme fier qui aimait que les choses soient bien faites. Des rangées droites et le gazon vert et bien coupé. Mais il n’a pas seulement planté des graines de fleurs et de légumes, il n’a pas cessé de planter tout au long de sa vie :

He planted seeds of generosity, faith, family, loyalty, hard work, and community. Norman knew how to recognize everyone’s gifts and encourage them to share them with others. He also had the wisdom to know when someone needed something, even before they knew it themselves.

Sa foi catholique était au cœur de sa vie, guidant ses actions et ses choix. Il considérait la religion comme un pilier fondamental, et cette importance se reflétait dans sa vie de famille et de communauté ainsi que son implication active au sein des Chevaliers de Colomb, un rôle qu'il assumait avec dévouement. Pendant plus de 50 ans, Norman a donné de son temps et a fait de nombreux dons de bienfaisance.

Être l'homme de la maison et subvenir aux besoins de sa famille était une priorité pour lui. Thérèse, bien sûr a toujours été la figure centrale de sa vie. Il se sentait profondément responsable de sa femme, de ses enfants, de ses petits-enfants et de ses arrière-petits-enfants, et trouvait une grande satisfaction à les voir grandir et s’épanouir.

Norman éprouvait un amour immense pour ses proches. Il était un blagueur parmi ses amis et sa famille, mais savait aussi être sérieux. Lorsqu'il apprit la naissance de son premier petit-enfant, il décida d'arrêter de fumer, conscient des dangers que cela représentait pour sa santé et pour ceux qu'il aimait. Norman était également très fier d'apprendre qu'il avait une nouvelle petite-fille, Leanne et cela devint le sujet de conversation pendant des mois. Les visites, accompagnées d’un verre de vin rouge, de jeux de cartes et de belles conversations, lui apportaient une immense joie. Norman appréciait également garder le petit chien de Natalie, Felix.

Did you know?

He still carried the same photo of Thérèse that she had given him when they first met, in his wallet. --- 63 YEARS!

He coached hockey, despite never having played the game himself.

They won one game—the one played during the intermission of a Jets game. Norman had trophies made for all his players.

He always emphasized the importance of punctuality to the kids, yet once showed up late himself… probably the only time ---EVER!

One night, he picked up Lionel (beer case in hand) and his buddy at a bus stop, because they needed a lift in the middle of the night.

His favourite TV shows were the British comedy shows, Mr. Bean, All in the Family with Archie Bunker, Three’s Company and most recently, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

He also liked the Red Green show and found humour in the episode “No Duct Tape”. It was a joke with Norman that you can always use duct tape. One time, he used duct tape on one of his nephew Richard’s diapers. --- just a brilliant tinkerer at work.

Pépère was a jokester, a true friend, and a man of integrity. He was organized, a natural leader, and always put his family first.

À la fin de sa vie, Norman a dit à Thérèse : « J’ai fait de mon mieux. » He said to Thérèse, "I did my best." And really, in the end, that’s all we can do – give our very best with what we know.

He was a true reflection of love to everyone he met.

Goodbye, Pepère. 

Goodbye, Norman. 

Aurevoir, Chou. 

We will miss you.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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