MIKE GOULET

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MIKE GOULET Early on the morning of January 30, 2018, this world lost a singularly unique and loving man. Joseph Emile Michel (Mike) Goulet passed away suddenly, unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep at home at the age of 63. He leaves behind a grieving and loving family: his beloved wife Cynthia, their two boys Matthew and Tyler, his little dog Pepper, his mother Claire, older sister Liliane, younger brother François (Yvette), mother-in-law and father-in-law Nancy and Harry Zielke, brothers-in-law Neil (Cynthia) and Murray (Suzan), along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Fernand. Mike was born in his family's farm house in Saint-Augustin-De-Quebec on April 5, 1954. He lived and worked happily on the family farm until the spring of 1974 when, after being accepted into the R.C.M.P., he moved to Regina to join up as a cadet at Depot. Despite not speaking a word of English he graduated September 1974 and moved to his first posting, Ottawa. Then, following in the footsteps of his troop-mates, he took a posting in Manitoba in the most French sounding place he could find: Beausejour. Instead of fellow French speakers, he found a community of Polish and Ukrainian farmers. It was while posted in Beausejour that Mike met Cynthia, the love of his life. After their engagement in 1977, Mike was transferred to Norway House. They were wed in 1979 in Beausejour and another transfer took them to Thunder Bay where their sons would be born. In 1981 their first son, Matthew, was born. He would be followed three years later by Tyler. Mike's R.C.M.P. story then sees the family move to Winnipegosis in northern Manitoba for four years. The next move was to Treherne where Mike and family would live for just four months. A promotion would next take Mike and family to Melita, in charge of his own detachment. One final posting thereafter, to "D" Division headquarters in Winnipeg. Having lived in small towns most of their life, Mike and Cyndy decided to call Oakbank home. Nearly 35 years after joining the R.C.M.P. Mike finally retired in 2008. Not being one to sit idle and let life pass him by, Mike started his dream small business that allowed him to buy the toys he'd always wanted: tractors. His first day of retirement was also his first day as owner/operator of Goulet Lawn Care. His retirement would be more than gardening and lawn care, however. Throughout their life together the Goulet family enjoyed countless road trips, most often to Quebec to visit Mike's family. In retirement Mike, Cyndy and Pepper would range farther. Nova Scotia, historic drives through Western Canada and the northern United States, while still visiting family in Quebec. Mike, Cyndy and Pepper together in a truck pulling their trailer visiting new spots or stopping to eat at familiar wayside rest stops and staying at familiar campgrounds it was all they wanted. Mike devoted nearly 35 years to the R.C.M.P., his second family. He loved every posting and influenced an incredible number of people in his life both inside and outside the R.C.M.P. He truly lived his life in service to others: his family, each community he served in as a Member and his fellow Members of the R.C.M.P. Mike's funeral service will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Oakbank Baptist Church, 26033 Springfield Rd., in Oakbank. He will be cremated and make one final trip with his family to Quebec this autumn. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to one of two organizations near and dear to Mike's heart. The first, the Winnipeg Humane Society gave Mike his inseparable buddy Pepper. Mike's second family was the R.C.M.P. The R.C.M.P. Foundation's National Remembrance Fund is dedicated to honouring the work of fallen R.C.M.P. employees across Canada and ensuring that the significance of their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Those Members (and non-Members) who wish to share their stories and remembrances of Mike are invited to email GouletMemories@gmail.com seasonsfunerals.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 03, 2018