FERNAND GIRARD

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FERNAND GIRARD

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Fernand Girard announces, after a struggle with illness, his passing on August 1st, 2023 at Health Sciences Centre. Born in Napierville, Quebec on July 5th, 1930, to Clément and Blandine Girard, he was one of eight children.

In 1943 he began attending Collége de Saint-Jean, where he would spend his next seven years, deepening both his love of sports, especially basketball, as well as his academic abilities. At the age of sixteen he also began to practise singing.

In 1951 Fernand began training to be a White Father in Laval, Quebec, and he would be later ordained as priest. He then travelled to Zambia where he worked for years visiting remote villages.

In 1967, certain he wanted to teach, Fernand returned to Montréal and later was accepted to study at Michigan State University where he completed Ph.D in anthropology. Then in 1975 Fernand moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to accept a position at Université de Saint-Boniface to become a professor, eventually retiring in 2000.

In 1986 he married Rolande Trudeau, who would be his loving wife and partner for the rest of his life. Her children, Roger, Paul and Michelle, were deeply loved, but his grandchildren and great-grandchild: Elliot, Evan, Paul, Patrick, Jennifer, Jeffrey and Liv, brought him a new level of joy that he had never known before.

Fernand will be forever loved and remembered for his deep intellect and enduring sense of humour.

Memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery Highway 1 East at Navin Road Winnipeg, Manitoba

C’est avec regret que nous annonçons le décès de Fernand Girard. Survenu le premier août 2023.

Fernand naquit à Napierville, Québec, le 5 juillet 1930, le septième d'une famille de 8 enfants. Il laisse dans le deuil deux soeurs, Thérèse et Claire, un neveu, trois nièces et une arrière nièce.

Après ses années d`études théologiques, il passa 10 ans comme missionnaire avec les Pères Blancs en Zambie.

En 1975, il vint comme professeur d`Anthropologie à l'université de Saint-Boniface. Il rencontra Rolande Trudeau qu`elle épousa en 1986. Rolande fut une épouse qui lui apporta un grand bonheur par elle-même et ses enfants, Roger (Helyn), Michelle (Ron), Paul (Carmen) et aussi ses petits-enfants, Elliot (décidé) et Evan Fitch, Jeffrey et Jennifer Harvey, Paul Jr (Kim) et Patrick Trudeau, et une arrière petite fille (Liv).

Fernand a aimé l`Afrique et les Africains, ses étudiants(es) en anthropologie à l`Université de Saint Boniface, la musique surtout le chant et plusieurs sports. Il fut membre de la Chorale des Intrépides durant 30 ans, ce qui lui donna l`occasion d`être soloiste à plusieurs occasions.

Les Funérailles auront lieu à Green Acres, Samedi, le 12 Août 2023 à 10 heures.

GREEN ACRES

Funeral Home and Cemetery

(204) 222-3241

Condolences may be sent to

www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

FERNAND GIRARD

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Fernand Girard announces, after a struggle with illness, his passing on August 1, 2023.
His sharp wit and enduring sense of humour will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.
Full obituary and memorial service to follow.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2023, Aug 09, 2023