Graig Francis Boileau

1925 - 2011

Graig Francis Boileau obituary, 1925-2011, Atikokan, ON

BORN

1925

DIED

2011

FUNERAL HOME

Green Funeral Home

600 Reid Ave

Fort Frances, Ontario

Graig Boileau Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 23, 2011.

GRAIG FRANCIS BOILEAU

GRAIG FRANCIS BOILEAU, 85, of 48 Spruce Road, Atikokan, ON passed away suddenly early Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Graig was born December 6, 1925 in Fort Frances, Ontario to Francis & Irene Boileau (Saunders). Graig's father died when Graig was just 3 years old. In 1932, his mother Irene was remarried to Hugh Fleming. Over his youth and throughout his life Graig spent many hours visiting his extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins in Fort Frances.

In 1943, at the age of 17, Graig enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, was shipped to Brandon, Manitoba for basic training, and then on to Vancouver, Calgary, Trenton and St. Jean, Quebec awaiting an overseas posting. As a wireless air gunner, Graig flew the very last WWII scouting mission over the Atlantic Ocean in April 1945.

After the war, Graig attended DVA school in Fort William, where he was introduced to his best friend's cousin, Valerie Charlebois. The couple married in July 1947 and settled in Fort Frances. In 1951, Graig and Valerie moved with their first three children to the growing town of Atikokan. There, Graig began work for CAC on the Steep Rock and Marmion dredging operations until their completion. Graig was a senior shop steward and union negotiator during his time at CAC.

Graig & Valerie went on to build their family home in Atikokan in the early 1950s and had 6 more children. A deep recession in the early 1960's impacted employment opportunities at the Atikokan mines. With a large family to support, Graig made the decision to join Weston Bakery as an independent contractor, and later as an employee of the Shaw Baking Company where he remained until his retirement in 1992. Many people in Atikokan still remember Graig fondly from his days delivering bread door-to-door or to various restaurants and small businesses in town.

In 1980, Graig and Valerie purchased a lot on Turtle Lake and joyfully spent many years with family and friends at the cabin they built.

In 1990, at the age of 65, Graig embarked on a new and rewarding career as a founding partner in the development of the Valerie Falls hydro-electric generating station on the Seine River near Atikokan. This 10-megawatt generating project was completed in 1994. Graig was instrumental in the success of this project.

Sadly, after a lengthy illness, his wife, Valerie, passed away in April 1998.

Graig was firmly committed to the practice of civic duty. He gave much of his time to volunteering in numerous community activities. Graig was a member of the Atikokan & Separate School Boards for more than 20 years and was a central figure in the local Liberal Party, acting as President on more than one occasion. For many years Graig was active in the Atikokan Ski Club. He was also a member of the Legion. Last but not least, Graig was a cornerstone of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, active in the Knights of Columbus, deriving great joy from singing (sometimes on tune) in the Church choir, and the parishioners appreciated his culinary skills at many a church breakfast. An eternal optimist, his ready smile cheered the hospital patients he regularly visited and he set a great example as a father and friend. We will miss you Dad!

During the past 13 years Graig has cherished the loving companionship of Dolores Christian. They have travelled to visit their widespread families in various parts of Canada and made frequent visits to his son David's lake retreats in the Fort Frances area.

Graig will be terribly missed by Dolores Christian of Atikokan, ON; his nine children Janice (Thor) Paulson and Linda (Neil) Punstel both of Orangeville, ON, Karen (Martin Mikus) Boileau of Minneapolis MN, Robert (Tamar) Boileau and David (Jacqueline) Boileau, both of Thunder Bay, ON, Christopher Boileau (Michelle) of Waterloo, ON, Mary Anne of Tofino, BC, Jacqueline of Atikokan, ON and Paul of Chilliwack, BC; 21 grandchildren, Amber, Jennifer, Alistair, Sean, Daniel, Alexander, Patrick, Marc, Ashley, Robert, Clare, Louis, Nadine, Kal, Jason, Alexandra, Olivia, Laura, Victoria, Alexina, Nora, Robin, Jordan and Elisabeth, and four great grandchildren; Adam, Morgan, Jenna and Eric.

He also leaves to mourn him, sisters Maxine (Bud) Ronald, Carol Engstrom, Pat (Rollie) Dumontet, brothers Tom (Betty-Ann) Fleming, & Lyle (Linda) Fleming.
Graig was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Valerie, parents Irene and Francis, stepfather Hugh Fleming and grandson, Graig.

The funeral will be held Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11 a.m at St. Patrick's RC church with Fr. Elvis Odoegbulen officiating. Pallbearers will be Ernie Toffan, Tony Marinaro, Alex Boileau, Alistair Boileau, Jordan Boileau and Louis Boileau-Ivall.

Cremation will follow at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Minnesota. Interment will take place in Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan, Ontario at a later date.

Family and friends may visit Friday evening from 6:30 pm. until 8:30 p.m. at St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church in Atikokan, Ontario. Parish prayers will be offered at 7 p.m.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to a charity of their choice, in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8.

Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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26 Entries

March 21, 2011

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March 9, 2011

Dan Cousineau

Dave, Your Dad was a great guy to chat with. He will be missed. All the best to you and your family.

March 2, 2011

Patricia Crakanthorp

My condolences to all the Boileau family. More than 40 years ago I attended the University of Windsor with Mr. Boileau's daughter, Karen, and recall now how amazed I was that she had eight siblings. Karen was one of my favourites on campus, and amongst the first that I had ever met from Northern Ontario. Although with some sadness, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to read about Karen's father, and his outstanding contributions to the community as well as his family. I have not seen Karen since our graduation in 1969, and hope now to be able to get in touch with her.

February 27, 2011

Joanne Galbraith

My family and I are really going to miss Mr. Boileau. He always had a smile and warm greeting. One of my favourite neighbours since I was a young girl. My deepest condolences to his entire family.
Joanne, Matt, Madison and Keaton Galbraith

February 27, 2011

LM Fleming

I was greatly saddened to hear of uncle Graig's passing. My thoughts are with all of you.
Sincerely,

Leanne

February 26, 2011

Den Dempers

To all the Boileau families,
May I offer my very sincere condolences, on the sudden passing of Graig. He was always a very warm and caring person to me. I always enjoyed being in his company. His life on earth was very well spent.
Love to you all----Den Dempers

February 26, 2011

Lorriane (Armstrong) Shaw

To Karen and all the Boileau family. My sincere condolences. I was saddened to hear about your Dad. He was a very rare and special person. He always had that beautiful, sincere smile. He looked like Gregory Peck and was just as handsome. I will miss seeing him in Atikokan as will many others. He was a wonderful, talented, caring and well respected man.

February 26, 2011

Paul Boileau

Our condolences to Boileau's we will miss Graig warm smile, I'll never forget how he was so willing to help when ever he could.

February 25, 2011

Eva Paris

Robert, Tamar & family,
Our deepest condolences, Eva & John Paris & family.

February 25, 2011

Bill Houston

To Dave and family. I was saddened to hear of Graig's passing. I will always remember the warm greeting he gave me at your home, and the gracious manner in which he listened while I sang "The King of White Otter Lake" for him.

February 25, 2011

Jo-Anne Polen

Our condolences to all the family and Delores. I have many fond memories of Graig when visiting during the summers many many years ago. He would take us on his bread run and of course there were always donuts that just had to be eaten.

Take care and cherish the great memories.

Love, Jo-Anne (Ronald) & Tony Polen (Ronald)

February 25, 2011

Leena McCartney

Our condolences to My dear friend Janice and your family at this time of sadness in the loss of your beloved father. Our thoughts are with you. Leena, Laura and Patrick McCartney.

February 24, 2011

Margaret and Geoff Pattyson

Delores and the whole Boileau family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Your dad was a very special person, and the picture of him truly represents his life. I can't ever remember him without that wonderful smile. Our sincere condolences.

February 24, 2011

Larry Dustin

My condolences to you David, and to your family....... It was an honour meeting Graig and being part of the music that he so loved... he seemed to be a man of integrity and great character ... he will be missed.

February 24, 2011

Gary & Karla Rogozinski

David
Our deepest sympanthies on the passing of your father, Graig. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of need. We will talk soon. Please give your family hugs from ours.

February 24, 2011

Sandy Shaw

While visiting with our daughter in Denver, Colorado, I read via the internet this A.M. of Craig's passing. I was always impressed with Craig's sense of independence as he toiled as the Holsum Bread Man of Atikokan. There was never a problem with Craig. My condolences to the Boileau Family!

February 24, 2011

John Mattinson

David, my deepest sympathies.

John Mattinson

February 24, 2011

Ken Boshcoff

Please know my thoughts are with you Dolores and all the Boileau Family as we remember a true community builder and achiever.I deeply regret not being able to attend the service as I will be out of the region.I will always be grateful for his friendship and support,
Sincerely,
Ken Boshcoff

February 24, 2011

Greg Ribotto

I fondly remember the Boileau family while growing up on Spruce Road just down the street from them. Who could forget "the Bread Man"? Our condolences go out to the Boileau family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you

February 23, 2011

Marlene Zucchiatti

I have many memories of visiting the Boileau household. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boileau were encouraging to me during the difficult teen years and I knew I was always welcomed there. Back then I had hoped to marry one of the boys so I could become apart of the family! I only remember Mr. Boileau with an ear to ear smile that was always sincere. It was only a few weeks ago that he enveloped me in a huge bear hug. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

February 23, 2011

patrick maley

my sincere condolences to the boileau family . i have many fond memories of graig and val from proir to their marriage and throughout their life in atikokan . i will say a prayer for your loss .

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