GENDRE
Joseph Louis Gendre Sr. was born at home on his parents' homestead August 2, 1922 in the Ewing district south of Erskine. His first year of education came from the Sisters of Charity Convent in Trochu. With the economic crash in 1929, his parents could no longer afford to send him back to Trochu, so his second year of schooling was at Ewing school where he had to learn English, as French was his first language. He went on to complete grade 8 at Ewing. Subsequently, Joseph completed some agricultural and mechanical courses in Red Deer. On January 16, 1942, at the age of 19, he volunteered for the Air Force. Because Joseph had previous mechanical training and volunteered, he got his request to become an Aeroengine Mechanic. Although he repeatedly requested to go overseas, he was posted in two locations in Canada; firstly Shepherd Air Force Base east of Calgary, and then on to #7 Bomb and Gunnery in Alfred Bay, Sandspit on the Queen Charlotte Islands, BC. Upon his discharge on August 31, 1945, he returned home and for a year rented a farm with his brother Bernard. On June 10, 1947, Joseph married Hilda Dorothy Hollman at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Stettler. They purchased a farm northwest of Erskine where they raised 10 children. Upon their retirement, Joseph and Hilda travelled in their motor home with friends and family. Joseph lost the love of his life on April 10, 1995, however he considered it a blessing that he was able to live out his life on the farm he established until his hospitalization. He died peacefully ten days later on February 13, 2010 at the age of 87 years. Joseph's brothers and sisters regarded him as a kind and gentle older brother that inherited his grandfather's lifelong passion of gardening. Joseph leaves behind to mourn Ronald (Donna) Gendre of Calgary, Rene (Mary Anne) Gendre of Surrey BC, Denice (Armand) Wiart of Alliance, Ernest (Nancy) Gendre of Botha, Lorraine (Glen) Robinson of Ventura, California, Doris (Ralph) MacLaine-Pont of Rochon Sands, Charles (Jackie) Gendre of Sherwood Park, Joseph (Circun) Gendre of Erskine, James Gendre of Calgary, and John (Tanya) Gendre of Calgary. Joseph is also survived by his brothers and sisters Bernard (Lorraine) Gendre of Scollard, Marie Hollman of Red Deer, Rita Reinbold of Stettler, Leon (Dolores) Gendre of Red Deer and Bro. Louis Gendre O.M.I. of St. Albert as well as 15 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Fr. Arlan Parenteau officiated a prayer vigil on Friday, February 19th at 6:00 pm as well as a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 20th at 1:00 pm. Both were held at Christ-King Catholic Church in Stettler. Internment followed at the Erskine Cemetery where Joe was laid to rest next to his beloved wife Hilda. As an expression of sympathy, and in loving memory of Joe, memorial contributions may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Erskine Cemetery in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services P.O. Box 193 Stettler, Alberta TOC 2LO. Condolences can be e-mailed to: brennenf@telusplanet.net. 403.742.3315