Alain Balcaen

Obituary

Alain Balcaen, 71 years old, of Marchand, Manitoba, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 26, 2019.

He is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia (nee Stasiuk) and their children: Daniel Balcaen (Natasha), Katherine Kubik (Kyle), David Balcaen (Tiffanie) and Melanie Balcaen (Dominic Dumesnil); grandchildren: Zachary Balcaen, Allison Balcaen, Tyler Balcaen, Elizabeth Balcaen and Austin Kubik. As well as his brothers Reynold Balcaen (Marion), Bernard Balcaen (Solange); sisters Ghislaine Marynoski and Marielle Wiebe (Henry).

Alain was predeceased by his parents Gilles and Elodie Balcaen (nee Freynet), brother Robert Balcaen, brothers-in-law Frank Marynowski, Orest Stasiuk and sister-in-law Joyce Pshebniski.

Alain Balcaen was born and raised in Marchand, Manitoba. He was the third youngest of six children. His family owned and operated the Marchand Grocery store as well as running a trucking business.

Alain attended the Marchand School. When he was in grade 12, his father bought a school bus. He became the school bus driver for the neighborhood children while he himself was attending school. Alain took pride in his community and loved driving. He went on to get his class 1 driver’s license.

After school Alain drove truck for Friendly Family Farms and then Penner International. He then decided to go into business for himself so he and his brother Reynold operated Balcaen Trucking for many years. He devoted his career to trucks and taught many people to drive truck and get their class 1 license. He was passionate about machinery of all sorts. He was a skilled operator of all types of construction and logging equipment. He helped fight forest fires in the area throughout his life.

Alain met Sylvia at the age of 32 and married soon after on July 25th, 1981. He was the proud father of four children and five grandchildren. Alain lived in Marchand his whole life. He loved the community, the people and the area. He loved being out in nature in the Sandilands forest.

He worked for Lamont Trucking and then Centennial Gravel. Wanting to be closer to home he started working for Diamond Construction as a truck driver, operating a drilling rig and working as a drag line operator. After many, years of service with Diamond he went on to work at Hy-Way Construction where he worked until his passing. Alain knew many truck drivers in all the southeast. His co-workers became his very good friends. He was a hard worker and was never able to retire completely.

Alain had many pass times revolving around his love of cars, trucks and recreation vehicles. Alain was very social. His favorite pastime was sitting outside with friends, neighbours and family and chatting over a drink. But he was truly happiest when he had his whole family gathered under his roof. He will be truly missed by many.

The Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joachim Roman Catholic Parish, La Broquerie, MB., followed by interment at Marchand Cemetery.