July 18, 1930 – Aug 31, 2020
It is with great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Wilfrid Bélecque at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, with his daughter and grand-daughter by his side on Monday, August 31, 2020 at the age of 90 years.
Beloved husband of the late Fabiana Bélecque (nee Sasseville) for nearly 41 years. His wife predeceased him May 10, 1994; his infant daughter Susanne born Dec 27, 1954 predeceased them July 30, 1955. He is survived by his loving and devoted daughter Carole Bélecque Valcourt and his cherished grand-daughter Sylvie Marie Valcourt. Also survived by his siblings: Lionel [late Mona Corbeil 2016]; Thérèse [late Maurice Labrecque 2010]; Neil [Gisèle Gagné]; Lina [Raymond Thibault] and Liliane [Ronald Turcotte].
Predeceased by his parents Henri Bélecque (1989) and Léa Gauthier Bélecque (1986), his sister Ernestine (1991), brothers Emile (2020) [late Helen Wilson 2020]; Ovide (2001) [Rose-Marie Labrecque surviving]; Ernest (2014) [Bernadette Amyotte surviving and the late Agathe Nadon 1968] and sister Elzire (2017) [late Bert Duchesne 2019].
Also predeceased by his mother-in-law Ida nee Duchesne [1989]; [her first husband Ferdinand Trudel deceased 1931); father-in-law Alfred Sasseville (1955) and father-in-law Emile Devost (1967).
Wilfrid worked in several camps as a young man and in various mills. In 1959-1960 he worked digging out “The Hole” at the NORAD Underground Complex. Later he worked as a transport driver for Deluxe Transport. Worked building the Federal Building (Post Office) on the corner of Ferguson and Worthington Streets. He was a boat builder with Nipissing Boat, canoe builder with Sportspal in Powassan. A medical technician with Medical Supplies, Tri-Medical, Doncaster, and Home Health Care repairing wheel chairs, installing lifts and other medical equipment, retiring in 1995.
For many years he bowled at the Four Seasons Centre in the men’s league and the mixed league with his wife. He was a gifted woodworker, built two family homes and furniture pieces. He created beautiful marquetry scenes and many other projects made with his scroll saw. His other hobbies included hunting partridge, moose and deer. Most of all he loved to go fishing in his boat with his grand-daughter, his buddies, his nephews and godson Mike. He enjoyed giving tomatoes and raspberries from his garden to neighbours, relatives and friends. He was also a master at making delicious cipaille, meat pies, and pâté au saumon. He loved playing cards and bingo. He faithfully attended the OHL Battalion hockey games up until his health permitted him then followed them on TV.
Following COVID protocols, a memorial visitation will be held at HILLSIDE FUNERAL SERVICES, 362 Airport Rd, on Saturday, September 5th from 9 until 11 am. A celebration of Wilfrid’s life will be held at 11 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Nipissing Serenity Hospice or Christ Church Anglican in memory of Wilfrid will be gratefully acknowledged by his family (cheques only please).
Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1075 Tower Drive, North Bay, next to his wife.
In accordance with current directives from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario in regard to COVID 19 the total number of attendees is limited and additional precautions are in place. Face masks are mandatory at the funeral home. For more information please contact the funeral home.