JEAN-PIERRE JOSEPH EDDY OUELLETTE

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of JP at the age of 69 after a long hard battle with cancer.

He is survived by his common law wife Joanne Esposito (Sabourin) of 18 years. He will be sadly missed by his extended family. Grace Esposito (Billy Pollok), Zander Esposito-Nuytten and our soon to be grandbaby in October and Rufio, Catrina Esposito, Doree Sabourin, and many more of Joanne's extended family and friends. As well as his work family at Aero Recip Canada.

JP was an only child born in Montreal Quebec and was predeceased by his parents Eddy and Jeannine Ouellette, grandparents Joseph and Marie Ouellette and Mr. and Mrs. Leduc.

JP had a fulfilling and amazing life. He started his adventures young and joined the Naval Reserve of Quebec, Royal Canadian Navy. Based in Halifax NS Canada. While there he traveled to many Canadian and Foreign ports. His stories were endless.

When his tour was over, he started a new chapter in his life. He began looking for a profession he would love to do for the rest of his life. JP had an excellent aptitude for fixing engines which he learned as a sailor.

So off he went in search of a company that would hire him to fix engines. Not any engines but aircraft engines. Of course, he needed some experience and knowledge to perfect his skills so he tried out just a few companies:

: Allied- Signal Aerospace Canada

: Canadair

: Pole Air Aviation Inc.

: Highland Helicopters Ltd

: Viking Helicopters Ltd

: Rolls Royce Canada Ltd

Finally, he found a company in Winnipeg MB that he knew from the beginning was going to be the end of his search for a great company and probably retire there.

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In 1995 he met Mr. Alvin Gregorash who owned Aero Recip Canada Ltd. 

Alvin was handed not a resume but a folder with letters of recommendations from many previous company owners. Alvin liked what he read and hired JP that day.

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For the next 28 years JP poured his heart and soul into the company. Rarely taking time off, not even when he was going through treatments for the two cancers in 2013 and 2016 would he stay home. 

He loved his job very much and he loved the family he had at work. 

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Over the years JP worked at many positions with Aero Recip so his title got a bit lengthy:

Senior Accessory Technician, Sales Associate for Quebec Division and Specialist/Trainer/Consultant for gas turbine engines.  

JP although on his days off weekends and holidays, had many interests in his life.

When we first met, we were both members of the Club 60 Legion Army and Navy. Where he enjoyed listening to music and playing pool. This became our go to place every Saturday for many years. 

He also enjoyed going fishing. He would tell me stories of his fishing trips with the boys from work. We were both very busy working but managed to get a few fishing trips in just the two of us. He was amazed I could fish.  Just a quick note, JP actually never ate any kind of fish, he disliked the flavor and texture.

He also had a great passion for racing cars, Nascar, Funny cars, Drag Racing and Formula 1. If a race was on he watched it. He even got a chance to go to Arizona and made it to a Drag Racing strip. A highlight in his life.

He always had a need for speed, so of course he owned many motorcycles over the years, and of course learned how to fix them himself. He loved his Harley Davidson's which he named them all Max... for maximum speed.

Eventually he had to slow down so reluctantly he just watched his shows quietly at home. But he made sure he got every channel available so he wouldn't miss anything.

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Together we would watch all the races, UFC, NHL, CFL, any show about fixing cars and trucks. He would like to watch fishing shows, Deadliest Catch, Minnesota Bound. He also liked true stories and detective shows. Occasionally we would watch a show I liked.

When JP turned 65 years old, he didn't even think about retirement. He once said " If I retire, I wouldn't have a reason to get out of bed... and then what... you die"...

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JP continued working as long as he could. 

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Sadly, in October 2022 his health took a horrible turn and he was told he had cancer again.

This time because of restrictions he couldn't go back into the shop. He was devastated with the news. Alvin then decided JP could work from home. He was ecstatic with utter joy! This literally kept him strong and gave him a reason to get up every morning and live as long as he could.

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It was the hardest battle of his life but yet he worked every day right up to the week prior to him passing away. 

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He never complained much and he never gave up hope!

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To the strongest and bravest man I've ever known I bid you farewell my love! May you now rest in peace and be pain free for eternity. Love always and forever your Boo-Boo Jo.

We would like to say thank you to Dr. Dawe and the entire Cancer Care team at Cancer Care Manitoba at HCS.

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Special thanks to Dr. Venditti who JP cherished as his family doctor. Thank you to Erin, Dustin and Ados from the palliative home care team, you helped a lot at our home, it made a great difference for both of us. And a very greatful thank you to the team of doctors and nurses and health aides at the St. Boniface Palliative Care unit floor 8A. You watched over my JP with such care and support and kept him calm and comfortable till the very end. You were all angels, we were blessed with your love. 

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of JP's life will be held at a later date.

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In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba. 

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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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