MARCEL ODIL TALLIEU

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MARCEL ODIL TALLIEU March 24, 1920 - September 30, 2006 Peacefully, at 2:30 a.m. in the Grace Hospital, Marcel passed away at the age of 86. Dad was predeceased by his dear wife, Alida (nee Claeys), and his cherished grandson, Garth. Also his parents, Zelma and Edmund, stepfathers Maurice DeGrave and Malcolm Shaw, brothers Robert, Edward, Raymond, and Maurice, sisters, Evelyn, Angela, and Elsie. He leaves to mourn in his passing his caring wife, Irene Seredycz, his dear brother, Wilf Degraves (Diane), his children Marilyn (Lorne) Christianson, Wilfred (Mavis) Taillieu, and Roger (Georgia) Taillieu, and his grandchildren Robert (Day) Reidy, Alison Reidy, Heidi Taillieu, Graeme Hall, Tyler Hall, Lorna Christianson, and Loree Christianson, and many nieces and nephews. A farmer, contractor, and businessman, working to Dad was both his life and hobby. His motto was, A man does not cease to work when he gets old, a man gets old when he ceases to work . He was generous to a fault to friends in need. Although his school education was minimal, he was an avid reader, a brilliant businessman, and strong political supporter to those he believed in. Although successful in everything he pursued, farming always remained his passion. Dad was born to a prosperous family on Des Meurons Street in St. Boniface where he attended Provencher School. At a very early age his life changed drastically when he and his mother moved to a small farm at Lilyfield in the R.M. of Rosser. He attended Lilyfield School and lived there until his mid teens. From there he moved to his present location on Roblin Boulevard where his mother and stepfather, Maurice, started the Assiniboine Jersey Farm on which they raised registered Jersey cattle. In 1943 Dad married Alida Claeys, they took the farm over from his parents and that became his home till the present day. In the late 1940s when farming became unsustainable, Dad resorted to land clearing with one small tractor, (an International TD9 then a TD18) which over the years evolved into Taillieu Construction Ltd. as we see it today. His accomplishments over the years include: - Founder of Taillieu Construction Ltd. in 1961, -Councillor and Deputy Reeve for the R.M. of Charleswood 1954 - 1964, -Member of the Greater Winnipeg Town Planning Commission 1954 - 1964, -Member of the Manitoba Trucking Association since 1952, -Member of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Assoc. since 1951 (President in 1969 - 1970), -Member of the Manitoba chapter of the American Public Works Assoc. (President in 1971), -Chairman of the Manitoba Development Corporation 1987 - 1991, -Chairman of the Manitoba Housing Authority 1992 - 1995, -Vice Chairman of the Manitoba Transportation Board 1996 - 1997, -In 1992 he received from the Governor General of Canada the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community, and to Canada, -Instrumental in the formation of the R.M. of Headingley in 1993 of which he was very proud. He will be remembered as a man of great generosity, many accomplishments in business, politics, farming, and life. He had a marvelous ability to make friends everywhere he went. Throughout his life he expressed his gratitude and respect for his wonderful employees. He inspired and gave great loyalty. We would like to express our gratitude to all the health care workers and hospital staff who took such great care of Dad. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marcel's memory will be graciously received by the St. Charles Church, 395 St. Charles St., Winnipeg, MB, R3K 1T7, or the Grace General Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Dr., R3J 3M7. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m. and prayers on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. both at the St. Charles Church, 320 St. Charles Street. Pallbearers will be: Roger Taillieu, Bob Reidy, Heidi Taillieu, Alison Reidy, Graeme Hall, Tyler Hall, Brian Duval, and Gordon Cox. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Edmund Taillieu, Allan Hardy, Victor Beaudin, Allan Magnusson, Martial LaFleche, Aime Caron, Fridjon Finnson, Don Wiens, Louis Caron, Raymond Caron, Lorne Sharfe, and Allan Borger. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 02, 2006