Obituaries

Jean (John) Eugene Duprat
March 3, 1942 – Oct 9, 2021

Generous and witty to the end and on what would have been his mother’s 110th birthday, Jean quietly slipped away from us, avoiding the fuss of more goodbyes and unwanted praises.

Jean was born on March 3, 1942 in Gravelbourg, SK, the second son in a line of six wild brothers. His parents, Irène and Armand, ran the general store and haberdashery. The family moved to Ottawa in 1956 and then San Jose, CA, where Jean graduated high school, but returned to Canada in 1961. They settled in the Norwood Flats, Winnipeg, laying the foundation for generations of future Winnipeggers and Bomber fans.

John met Vera Hanuschak, his life partner, in 1962 on a university train trip to Saskatoon. At first her parents required some convincing because you know what they say about Frenchmen… but he won them over with his Gallic charm, and eventually his broken Ukrainian and their broken English enabled a warm relationship. During their courtship, he attended University of Manitoba and between frat parties managed to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While at university he joined the reserves, reaching the rank of Captain. As a handsome French Canadian, he wore the argyle socks and tartan kilt of the Cameron Highlanders regiment with style and cut a dashing figure with Vera in her ballgowns and opera gloves at his side.

Vera and Jean were married July 2, 1966 and had two daughters, Christine (Tony) and Corinne (Craig), settling with their family in Windsor Park where they remained. Jean liked to be known as Big Bad John (à la Jimmy Dean) but to the girls and their friends, for whom he performed magic tricks and pulled coins out of their ears, “Bad” was a fond misnomer. Summers were spent camping or travelling, and winters snowmobiling and skiing. The girls were always busy and Jean was their quiet strength and constant support, ferrying them between events. Life lessons abounded – the appreciation of good food (don’t knock Roquefort and molasses on toast), how to take down an attacker, and for Corinne, the art of vehicle maintenance. Unfortunately, IT instruction for Christine was an utter failure.

Jean began his career as a chemist at Canada Packers but soon moved on to pharmaceutical sales. With much success in the industry, he eventually moved on to a second, less stressful career with Corrections Canada until his retirement in 2004.

He embraced his role as a Papa eagerly and was beloved by Avery, Kate, Will, Declan and Ella. His friendship with Blackbeard the pirate brought treasure hunts to the cabin, his Christmas shopping granted extravagant wishes and he sponsored trips to Mexico for the entire family. Most importantly, he loved his grandchildren without fanfare and without reserve.

In recent months, Jean struggled with illness which he endured with grace, humility and dry humour. He passed away surrounded by love and aching hearts. Jean and family offer thanks to Josette Duprat for her steady vigil and the many health care workers who, even during these stressful pandemic times, supported him: 6E Medicine, ER, ICU, Palliative Care at SBGH, Dr Ismail Mohammed, his FP for many years, Drs Paul Sawchuk and Sandip Bhangoo, helping him in recent months and Dr Al Buchel who made ER a friendlier place.

He is predeceased by his parents and older brother, Claude, and survived by his wife, children and brothers Paul, Louis, Denys and Roger.

In keeping with Jean’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life is being planned. Further details to follow on this site. Mask and proof of vaccination will be required according to Public Health guidelines.