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What a great man he was

News director's note: Nicky Ouellette lost her husband Gerry and her four stepchildren in a tragic car accident two weeks ago on Hwy 11 north of South River.




































News director's note:
Nicky Ouellette lost her husband Gerry and her four stepchildren in a tragic car accident two weeks ago on Hwy 11 north of South River.

Ouellette held a news conference today to thank the community for its support during her personal crisis.

Here is the full text of her remarks:


"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule in order for me to thank the community for all they have done for my families.

We are all grieving in our own way for the loss of Gerry Ouellette and his children.
The community got together whether they knew my family
or not to help us handle this terrible tragedy. For the people who did not know my husband, Gerry, or my stepchildren, I thought this would be a good time to share with you some special memories that I have.

Gerry worked 12 years full-time at Sudbury News and part-time at A&P. He delivered to many businesses in North Bay and surrounding area making many friends because of his dedication and personality. He spent all his spare time doing family activities from something as simple as playing cards with Kevin, to helping all six children with their homework to taking his whole family on boating excursions. Whenever he had a little personal time he spent it playing hockey or on the golf course with his relatives and friends. He was a devoted husband to myself and father to all six children. What a great man he was. He’s touched so many lives and has changed mine in a way that I will never forget.

When I tell people that I have six children they are in awe and make the comment that our family is like the Brady Bunch, you can imagine how many memories I have with the children, so I will save you some time and just mention a few.

I remember Scott as a responsible, fun-loving person to be with. He enjoyed spending time with his family and getting involved in all their antics.

Scott loved his music and spent countless hours with Gerry downloading their favourite songs. Scott had many friends at Scollard Hall, as was shown during the funeral. Tracey was known as a chatterbox. She talked constantly to everyone about everything.

You always knew what she was doing and thinking all the time.

Tracey
also spent lots of family time with her siblings, Gerry, and myself and would do many chores around the house when asked.

Stephen was known to be full of energy. He loved his sports and tried out for every team in schools and usually made them all.

He was kind and considerate to all his schoolmates and his family. Stephen always tried hard to do the right thing.

Some of the things I will miss the most from Kevin are his huge hugs and kisses at bedtime.

Kevin was known at school as the social butterfly, greeting all his schoolmates at the door.
He loved spending time with his brothers and sisters and spent countless hours with Gerry and myself.

I now want to personally speak to everyone and let them know how much the community has touched myself and my families with all the kind words, support and thoughtfulness that we received during this difficult time.

Here are a few special thank-yous that I must acknowledge:

The OPP, volunteer firefighters, and ambulance attendants at the scene;
Comfort Inn, on Lakeshore, for their hospitality by offering free rooms to all out of town families and friends; Charlie Lang, staff, and the union at A&P for all their efforts putting together a fund for my family; all the businesses and companies who sent flowers;
Father Trevor, of Holy Name, and Father Terry Fournier, of Corpus Christi, for their support; Maurice and staff at McGuinty’s Funeral Home for all their help;
South River merchants for the help they gave travellers who were stranded at the site;
The community’s thoughtfulness and prayers; St. Francis, St. Joseph’s, and Scollard Hall for their support; Bob Jolly, for providing and organizing the ceremonial guards;
Bill Padon Jr. and staff at Sudbury News Service; Northgate merchants for all their support, gifts and cards; the lady’s auxiliary for putting on the free lunch after the funeral;

I thank the following businesses for donating food and beverages for the luncheon: A&P, Price Choppers, M&M Meats, No Frills, on McKeown, Sobey’s, McDonald’s, City Bakery, Canadian Tire and Dollars Independent.
Any remaining food was taken to the crisis centre.
Thank you too to family, friends, and neighbours for being there when needed to help in any way they could, especially Sandra and Neville Walker, Henry and Sheryl O’Neil, Diane and Marcel Levasseur, and many others.

Thank you to Louise Moyer, from Moyer Printing, who donated the prayer cards, to Tabi International and all my staff for their hard work and support, to my best friend Leslie Cerisano, my rock, the one I depend on, who helped me make the hard decision, the one that guided me through this difficult time.

She put her family aside to stay with me day and night. For this I thank her and her family from the bottom of my heart and will be forever grateful.

With the help of all these people I was able to go through this tragedy with a clear head out of respect for my husband and children."