December 16, 1938 – April 26, 2024
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our dear Father. With sad and heavy hearts, on Friday, April 26, 2024, we shared our last farewell with the man our family knew as Lloyd, Dad, Papa and Papa Roux. He left this earthly plane for his new journey enveloped with the love and reverence of his family and his three brothers at Hospice Huronia Tomkins House. We take solace in knowing that he is now dancing up in heaven with Mom and reunited in celebration with loved ones who are there to light the way.
He was the cherished and devoted husband of Ann (nee Rankin, predeceased). Loving father to Shelley, Sandra (Nick), Susan (Brian) and predeceased by Randy. Beloved Papa to Matthew (Brandy), Michael (Orisa), Marc (Jessica), Simon (Melanie), Andrea, Samantha (Will) and Alysha (Michelle). Adoring Great-Papa/Papa Roux to Rylee, Oliver, Grayson, Lyla-Ann, Liam and Ezra. Treasured brother of Blanche, Larry (Anne), Doug (Jen), Allen (Janet), predeceased by Lorette, Leona, Gertrude, Gerald, Leonard, Arthur, Mona, Marjorie and his parents Alcide and Marie Leroux. He will be missed by many… including his sister-in-law Gail and especially by his “Cognashene family” and many friends.
For many years, Dad had dealt with multiple cancers, successfully keeping them at bay. In May of 2023 he was diagnosed as terminal with a different and more aggressive cancer. True to form, as a man with fortitude and conviction, he well surpassed his prognosis affording him more time to spend with family and friends. Fortunately, he remained in good spirits without too much discomfort until nearing the very end.
Dad recently shared with us that what he was the most proud of was the life he built with his wife and the legacy that follows. He was a mere 20 years old when he married the love of his life, our Mom and started their family. They worked hard and made sacrifices in order to provide us with not only the basic needs, but a comfortable, simple and full life. In wanting his children to be educated in French and English, he forfeited a position he wanted in Cognashene and took on a job at the Shoe Factory. Later, he was hired by RCA where he was able to further his education and training and specialize for a position as Supervisor in Mask Manufacturing. As much as he enjoyed his position and the people he worked with, the shift work aspect was not a favourite, especially once Mitsubishi took over and introduced continental shifts. When Mitsubishi closed, he took a course in small engine mechanics and worked in construction with family for a few years until he and Mom fulfilled their dream of early retirement and enjoying the cottage full time.
Being a strong willed, proud and honest man, he made it his mission to instill good values, principles and ethics in all of his children and descendants. (Not an easy task during our adolescent years!) He led by example and his love, faith and loyalty were constant and unwavering. He carried himself with dignity and had an inner strength that saw him through much of life’s adversities. No matter what he faced or encountered, he did so head on and courageously. His quick wit and lively sense of humor were his balance and at times, his saving grace. Dad was a constant source for guidance and direction, always available for help and support in our many endeavours. He encouraged, applauded and was present for all of his family’s successes and milestones. Together, he and Mom fostered a good and stable life for us all. We had a happy childhood filled with unconditional love and lots of togetherness, where we always felt safe and protected. We credit our parents for the solid base they provided to establish a closely knit (though not without our quirks!) family. Overall, we’ve all turned out to be good, decent, kind and considerate human beings because of how we were raised.
Dad’s skills and interests were many and varied. He had a natural talent for building and fixing things and was quick to tackle any project. He wasn’t shy to enlist the help of others and in return, was always available to lend a hand. He was a champion of reduce-reuse-recycle long before it was cool! Boating and skidooing were for pleasure and necessity. In his down time, he ruled the remote choosing mostly news, sports and nature shows and occasionally a movie or game show for Mom’s pleasure! He claimed that doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles and playing cards helped keep his steel trap mind alert and sharp! He was an exceptional young athlete and played baseball and hockey in the local leagues. He especially relished the comraderie and social aspects of team sports. We were fortunate to spend much of our younger years at the local baseball fields and arenas with our community families. He was well liked and respected and many of those connections remain strong today, offering us a soft place to land during challenging times such as these.
Growing up on the shores of Georgian Bay, Dad always had a deep respect and keen interest in nature and felt most at home in the bush or on the water. Since his youth, he had a fascination with birds, which he could identify by sound or sight and could rhyme off their particulars and habits. His favorites were the hummingbirds. Weather was always a forefront topic with him. He had a passion for gardening and dedicated a considerable amount of time to the planning and toiling of his gardens. He derived much pleasure in the tending of the plants as they began to flourish and produce some of his favorite foods. Thankfully and much to his surprise, last summer’s bounty was a bumper crop! He was an avid fisherman and hunter and proudly passed on those skills and knowledge to some of his children and grandchildren. A good fish fry with a gin and tonic or a well prepared venison meal topped his list of favorites! He always looked forward to his annual hunting and fishing trips with friends and family. His idea of travel was far less broad than Mom’s and consisted mainly of two directions, North and Cognashene!
His prized possession and happy place was the cottage that he and Mom purchased and aptly christened “Leroux’s Nest -Cognashene Bay”. A place of comfort established with love and enjoyed for 45 years by family and many visitors. A welcoming abode with more love, laughter and knowledge between its walls than even imaginable. A safe, fun place where all of their family and friends could relax and enjoy a wholesome visit whilst creating countless treasured memories. They loved hosting company and valued the sharing of time, conversation and laughter over a few drinks or a good meal. This is when Dad was likely to showcase his repertoire of jokes! Whether you were there for a short day trip or a longer stay, you were sure to experience a little bit of heaven here on earth. “Leroux’s Nest” has always been a home of gathering with the hardest goodbyes. Fortunately, logbooks were kept over the years and capture in print the many memories, events and visitors. Thanks to this documentation, their legacy and the memories will be preserved for generations to come. As times changed and things advanced, the logbook entries became photos and notes on Instagram or Facebook allowing us to always have them, the cottage views and the memories at our fingertips.
Thanks to his fortitude and the kindness and generosity of family and friends, Dad was able to realize 2 of his 3 big wishes for 2023…to be able to enjoy the summer at his happy place and to celebrate his 85th birthday. We will fulfill his 3rd wish…”remember who your parents were, be honest and hardworking to build a good life that truly makes you happy and continue to be there for each other”. We were all so blessed to have the time we did with him, creating so many cherished and lasting memories. There are still more to be made…they just won’t be quite the same without his physical presence. However, his essence and spirit, along with our mother’s, remain forever with us and in our hearts.
“Rest Easy Papa Roux…Love You…See You Next Time!”
Forever in Cognashene
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
As per Dad’s request and to honor his life, a Funeral Mass, Interment and Luncheon will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Penetanguishene on Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 2pm. If desired, memorial donations to any of the following would be appreciated and can be made through LeClair Cremation Centre to Hospice Huronia Tomkins House, Cancer Society, GBGH, RVH or SickKids
We would like to take this opportunity to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to…
The exceptional team at the Hospice Huronia Tomkins House, we are grateful beyond words. Your kindness and care for Dad, as well as for all of us, was immeasurable. If it weren’t for all of you and the accommodations available and made, we would not have experienced all of the beauty and gifts in the way we did, during this very sad and difficult time. Big Hugs!
Lloyd’s Medical Team - His family physician, Dr. Pinto and The RVH Oncology Team – especially, Dr. Kotchetkof and Dr. Shaver and Dr. Rask, for your years of remarkable service for Dad and more recently, for your kind, honest and direct manner in presenting and moving us through this delicate and challenging aspect of his life . The Home and Community Care Team for your kindness and direction in navigating the system in order to provide the best care for Dad. Much appreciation to all!
The staff at LeClair Cremation Centre, for your professional, respectful and courteous services. Your warm and caring approach helped take an edge off this intense and weighty process. Much appreciated!
And lastly, certainly not least, to all the family, friends and neighbours who have reached out to us in so many ways. Being held and supported throughout this process offers some light when everything seems dark. We are so fortunate and blessed! Love and Hugs!
