GERMAIN (GERRY) JOSEPH MAGUET

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GERMAIN (GERRY) JOSEPH MAGUET

With heavy but full hearts, we announce the passing of Germain, a true gentleman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, mechanical engineer, and artist.

He leaves to mourn his children Elise, grandchildren Lorelle Pegus (Daniel), great-grandchildren Henry and Pascale, and Kurt Weiss; Marc (Lynn), Raymond (Wendy), grandchildren Brett, Josée, Colby; Gérald (Sally), grandchildren Isabelle, Macie; and daughter Diane.

Germain is survived by his sister Marie, and sisters-in-law Marguerite and Karen, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was predeceased by his first wife Denise Dubois (1995), his second wife Eva Debreczeni (2022), his newborn son Joseph (1961), and his brothers Louis (1996), Denis (2024), and Paul (2025). He also leaves to mourn stepdaughter Kim Debreczeni and her son Jared.

As the third child in a family of five, Germain was born in Ste. Rose du Lac, MB on the family farm where he also grew up. His dedication to education showed early; biking ten km to high school each way, later leaving home at the age of 15 to complete Grade 12 at St. Paul’s College in Winnipeg. He earned his Bachelor of Science (1955) and Master of Science (1965) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba, becoming a life member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba.

Over a 39-year engineering career, most of it at W.L. Wardrop & Associates, later Wardrop Engineering Inc., he specialized in water/wastewater treatment and HVAC systems. His work shaped key infrastructure projects in Winnipeg and took him abroad. He took great pride in helping improve drinking water in Ghana and French Africa.

In earlier years, he camped across the country with Denise and their children. In retirement, he became a gifted stained glass artist, creating beautiful pieces that now brighten the homes of loved ones. He and Eva travelled the world together, missing only Australia and Antarctica. His push-pin world map remains a colourful testament to a life well-lived.

Germain left behind a lasting legacy by researching his family’s genealogy, tracing 19 generations from Brittany, France, to Kergwenan, MB, from the 1600s to the early 2000s, a journey that even brought him to France to walk in his ancestors’ footsteps.

A devout Roman Catholic and proud Knight of Columbus, he passed on the importance of faith and French culture to his family. He lived generously, supporting the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other meaningful causes.

Known for his sharp mind and discipline, Germain tracked his finances by hand with remarkable precision. He loved learning languages, especially Spanish, with some Russian, German, and Hungarian. He also treasured simple pleasures: the outdoors, homemade cocktails, and family dinners, proudly serving as Eva’s loyal taste-tester.

His legacy as a gentle soul, marked by kindness, generosity, and quiet strength, will live on through the generations he inspired.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Victoria Hospital Foundation, Cancer Research Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, or a cause meaningful to you.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at St. Norbert Personal Care Home for their compassionate care during Papa’s many years there.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at Paroisse Saint-Norbert, 70 rue St-Pierre. Private interment will follow at a later date.

Tributes: www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 28, 2025