JOSEPH ARMAND MAILLET

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JOSEPH ARMAND MAILLET

July 10, 1932 - July 7, 2024

Joseph Armand Maillet was born to Adelard and Marie (nee Doucet) Maillet in Rollingdam, of Charlotte County, New Brunswick.

Our dad was born in the county where his family worked a small piece of land at Waweig, NB. A portion of the family home stands to this day. His father earned modest wages in the logging industry where many of the boys also eventually found work. He shared many stories of his upbringing, recalling the Acadian way of living on a homestead with pigs, chickens, and a large garden. Nothing grand; just enough to feed the family. He shared stories of Christmases past where the family would gather to make Acadian poutine (not the kind with gravy and cheese!). When his mother became ill, Dad was called upon to keep the family nurtured and fed while his father was away working in the bush. Dad brought these caregiving strengths with him throughout life. Of his childhood family, Dad is survived by sister Alma, brother Rene and cherished sister-in-law Donna. Dad is predeceased by brothers Andrew (Adrien), Albanie, Sam (Anselme), Steve (Etienne), Gerard and his sister Laura.

Dad was never a man of extravagance, though he enjoyed the luxury of owning a vehicle, and worked hard to own many throughout his lifetime. Their greatest utility was to ensure adventures were had, even as simple as a Sunday drive after morning Mass and pancakes. In fact, a yearning for adventure was what landed him in the Prairies where he met his wife of 62 years, our amazing Grace.

Mom and Dad settled in Brandon, MB, shortly after tying the knot on May 5, 1962. Dad found work in construction, compounding the cement that built the walls of the Assiniboine Centre at Brandon General Hospital. In 1969 he landed work as a Psychiatric Nursing Attendant at the Brandon Mental Health Centre where he enjoyed a 25-year career of service.

Mom and Dad started family while living in a small studio apartment. Patsy was born in March, 1963. As the family prepared to grow, they found a grand historical home at 416 Frederick Street where they welcomed Mary Jane in December, 1964, followed five years later by Renee in July, 1969. While living on Frederick Street, they hosted many tenants and family members in an upstairs apartment. No matter who lived there, Dad always welcomed them as family. In 1974, they purchased 409 Russell Street where their baby boy, Armand Terence Marcel was welcomed to the family in January, 1975. When the seams were busting on 409, Mom and Dad decided to move to 7 Kennedy Place where they made many great friends in the small cul-de-sac community. No matter where we lived, our parents welcomed our childhood friends with open arms, many who became extensions of our own families.

When asking Dad about his most treasured memories in life, it was the 60 years he spent travelling coast to coast with our mother. Dad made a point of taking summer vacations every year. We enjoyed long vacations to the East Coast, crowding into the station wagon with camping gear to attend Maillet family reunions on the homestead. On alternating years, he would take us west to visit Mom’s family and to bask in the Rockies, enjoying nature, hot springs, grand waterfalls, and camping. Later in life, he and Mom enjoyed many short trips in their travel van, visiting family throughout the Prairies, and attending Métis festivals at St. Madelaine, St. Lazare, or Koushkoupayh Days. They loved a simple getaway for a night or two of “glamping” in their travel van.

Dad encouraged us to follow our paths and was always supportive. When our mom decided to return to nursing school in the early 1980’s, Dad took a permanent night shift so he could be available to tend to the home. Around that time, he became the chief cook and bottle washer. No matter where the family settled, Dad had a garden, large and varied enough to keep the family rich in produce for the long winters ahead. He credits his mother and upbringing on the homestead for having the skills to manage a home.

Mom and Dad enjoyed many years in a five-pin bowling league, attending bingos and playing cribbage at various venues in the city. Dad also enjoyed a good game of bridge with his workmates, often taking turns to host. It’s no surprise he maintained social engagements right to the end, calling bingo and attending crib tournaments at Lions Manor, then participating in the daily games offered at Victoria Landing. Dad would never turn away a rousing game of King’s Cribbage whenever loved ones stopped in for a visit. Armand will be remembered by many for his fun-loving, humble nature.

Armand was community minded, supporting his church through work with the Knights of Columbus, offering support to organizations his children were participating in, belonging to the Independent Order of Foresters and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3 where many lifelong friends were made. Dad was a devoted shop steward for public service unions – specifically Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union - and a dedicated supporter of the New Democratic Party. He also volunteered for many social causes including Alzheimer Society Of Manitoba, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Canadian Cancer Society. He never sought recognition. Dad was always one to help strangers in times of their greatest need.

The weeks before his passing, Dad was ever faithful and recalling the scripture, something about seven weeks, the Bible, the importance of prayer, the resurrection: the Book of Daniel. Dad passed seven weeks after our beloved mother, Grace. He left his body on Sunday the seventh day of the seventh month and three days before his 92nd birthday.

Charities one could consider: John Howard Society - http://brandonjohnhoward.ca/ or Palliative Care - https://www.brhcfoundation.ca/donate/

Dad is survived by his three daughters and one son, Patsy Searle (Brandon), Mary Jane Brownscombe (Richard - Winnipeg), Renée Maillet (Brandon) and Marcel Maillet (Chilliwack, BC), his seven grandchildren; Monika Taylor (Michael), Nicholas Searle (Kim), Madison Halford (Graham), Christopher Searle (Ryan), Ramona Maillet, AJ Maillet and Russel Maillet, his six great-grandchildren; Charlotte, Tia, Lyla, Boris, Nora, Stella and there are two more great-grandchildren on the way.

Dad is predeceased by his wife Grace Agnes Maillet and his son-in-law Kevin Searle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 327 4th Street, Brandon on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. Armand will be laid to rest at Brandon Cemetery in a columbarium with his beloved wife, Grace.

In the words of our Dad who was always so grateful for a visit, a game, and a happy hour:

Ta! Thanks for coming.

Condolences: brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 27, 2024, Jul 27, 2024