DALE LAMOUREUX

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DALE LAMOUREUX, CD 1941 - 2015 I was born on June 1, 1941 in Welland, Ontario. Shortly after that my mother and I moved back to St. Boniface, Manitoba. It was only a few short years when I found out that we were not treated the same as the other people around us, and the reason for that was that we were half Indian and half white, thus we were known as "half breeds". The more appropriate term was "mitchif" but racism was rampant and half breed was used to address us. Since the Second World War was in full swing most of the men were overseas and those at home like my mother, worked in cordite (munitions depots) plants. My grandmother for the most part raised us. Being a descendent of Louis Riel she received a lot of abuse, she did not back away from anyone and raised us, her grandchildren in the same manner. She was left a widow with a large family and instilled in all of us, her sons, daughters and grandchildren a loyalty to one's country. To attest to this is the fact that her five surviving sons all served in the Armed Forces. The oldest being killed in England, the second being wounded in Italy and the third barely 18 years of age was on the troop ship when the war ended. The two younger sons would soon follow the lead of their older brothers as soon as they became old enough to enlist. I was extremely proud of my uncles, even to the point that when I started school and one of my teachers asked me about my father I did not hesitate and told her I have five fathers, needless to say this caused quite a stir and my mother was called to the school to explain what was going on. I knew at a young age that when I became of age I would enlist, I knew I was too young but figured I could get into the service anyway. I passed all the tests and when it came time to show my birth certificate, they had me, and I was advised that they would contact me when I turned 17, to my amazement I got a call from the recruiting office shortly after my 17th birthday and shortly after I was sworn in. A PROUD DAY FOR ME. Dale served 21 plus years with the P.P.C.L.I. and RC SIGS, as a radio operator in Alert, Cypress, The Congo, Europe and across Canada. After retiring from the military, Dale continued his communication skills with the R.C.M.P. for 20 years. Dale is survived by his wife Jenny, of 49 years, his daughter Carol of Alberta, son Darren (Kerry) of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Larry (Teresa) Falk of Winnipeg, sister-in-law Marlene (James) of Kelowna, sister Jeannie of Creston, BC, and Lucy (Larry) McLaughlin of Portage La Prairie; grandsons John (Emily) Jones, David and Ryley of Winnipeg, and not to be forgotten, his best friend in Arms, Claude (Artis) Petit of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Thank you to the Pine Falls Hospital staff for their care and kindness. Dale would not want flowers, but would ask you to donate to the Soldier On Fund. www.soldieron.ca/ Pallbearers: Darren Lamoureux, David Lamoureux, Ryley Lamoureux, John Jones, Emily Jones, Kerry Lamoureux, John McNab. A memorial service will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery in the Field of Honour. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2015