Obituaries

JOSEPH ANTOINE (RENE) MORRISSETTE
   It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Rene on Monday, January 9, 2017, at Oakview Place Personal Care Home, at the age of 72 years. After a difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease, he has found his rest.   Remaining to mourn Rene’s passing are his wife of 25 years, Jackie; sons Brian (daughters Jonelle, Claire and Ariane) and Christian (Nancy); step-children, Pamela and Michael as well as step-granddaughter, Jada. He was predeceased by his parents, Henri and Marcelle and brothers, Jean-Louis and Guy.   On June 21, 1944, Rene was born in Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec. He joined the military at 19 years of age in 1963. After six months of language training and three months of officer training, he became an air navigator radio officer. Rene participated in several memorable flights around the world, seeing many exotic locations. He cross-trained to pilot in 1970, completing his advanced flying training on T-33’s, then proceeded to the helicopter course. Rene’s first posting as a pilot was in Cold Lake, Alberta on Base Flight, from which he moved to Ottawa to fly VIP’s, including many well-known political dignitaries of the time. From Ottawa, he was posted to CFB Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to become a helicopter instructor. In 1981, Rene received an Outstanding Achievement Award at CFB Portage la Prairie and was especially proud to be a member of the Dragonflies Air Demonstration Team. This four-ship helicopter team flew in the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto in 1981. After a short posting in Chilliwack, British Columbia as an officer school instructor, Rene took a staff position at 10 Tactical Air Group Headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, then continued with another staff posting to Winnipeg in 1989 at 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters. He moved to Ottawa then retired in 1995. Rene continued his military service for the Primary Reserves back in Winnipeg until March 2000. In all, he completed over 37 years of dedicated military service, logging over 10,000 flight hours.   Rene had a great love for music, having played the piano, as well as Ballroom dancing at Westview Dance Club for ten years. He travelled across Canada to Cold Lake and Comox, British Columbia to visit his sons and to Quebec to visit his family, with many exciting fishing trips in Quebec and Manitoba. He shared good times with his four granddaughters at Petersfield Children’s Day, swimming and having bonfires. Many visits to Texas in the 5th Wheel Caravanning was some fun as well. Rene loved badminton and pickleball and played as long as he could. He had a great love for people, a sense of humour and made friends wherever he went with a warm smile and a kiss on each cheek.            Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, 320 St. Charles Street, Winnipeg.   The family would like to thank Oakview Place Personal Care Home for the compassionate care provided to Rene.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Society of Manitoba, 414 Westmount Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R2J 1P2.  Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com