Rene Desharnais
Obituary
René Marcel Desharnais, son of Armand and Claire (Dupuis), passed away suddenly on March 15, 2021 in Winnipeg at the age of 70.
He is survived by his mother, Claire; his partner Maxine Fehr, as well as his ex-wife, Lyse Hébert, and their three children: Sol (Abdul Nassoro), Janette (David Niblett) and Guy (Lucy Potter). He also leaves behind two granddaughters: Alice and Estelle Desharnais, as well as four step-children: Isabel Hiebert (Dale), Hans (Kirsten Van Der Linde), Aiden (Karissa Posthumus) and Sophia. René is also survived by his six siblings: Léonard (Ann-Marie), Lise, Marc (Ginette), Pierre, Gisèle Balcaen, Lucie (Richard Gagnon) as well numerous members of his extended family and dear friends. He is predeceased by his father, Armand, and brother-in-law, Gilbert Balcaen.
René was born on November 24, 1950 and grew up in Carey, west of St. Pierre-Jolys. He woke up early every morning to do his milking duties on the family farm. During his time at the Institut Collégial St. Pierre, he met Lyse Hébert from St. Malo; they married a few years later in 1970. Following a few years pursuing a science degree at the University of Manitoba, he decided to return to the family farm, and in 1972, he settled in Carey again to work alongside his father. René and Lyse’s family grew with the birth of their three children. A few years later, his brothers, Marc and Léonard, joined him at Destein Farms Ltd.
In 1985, the family moved to St. Pierre-Jolys on the family homestead once owned by René’s great-grandparents, Ferdinand and Léda Desharnais. René left his farming roots behind to work as a carpenter and later, as a contractor. He was always very proud to show off his construction projects to us. He was known for his reliability, creativity, and strong work ethic.
Besides his work, René was also very involved in his community. He volunteered countless hours to the Caisse Populaire, the Red River School Division, the Institut Collégial de St. Pierre parents’ committee, the Comité culturel de St. Pierre, and many other groups. He followed closely in his father’s footsteps by getting very involved with the St. Pierre Museum as well as the Cabane à sucre at the Festival du Voyageur and in St. Pierre-Jolys.
Six years ago, he met Maxine Fehr with whom he lived, with her daughter Sophia – who he loved dearly as his own daughter – until his sudden passing. They continued to embellish the house and beautiful expansive yard together.
René had a great joie de vivre, a big heart, and an immeasurable generosity. A man of strength with a certain tenderness, he was well loved by the people in his community and his loved ones. We could readily find him on horseback, on his motorcycle, in the garden or in his barn, working on something or other. He loved the outdoors, nature, listening to CBC radio, and his daily post-lunch naps.
An intimate ceremony by invitation only (due to COVID restrictions) will be held soon. We hope to invite you to a celebration of his life later this summer if conditions allow.
If you so wish, we invite you to donate to a cause that was very dear to his heart, the St. Pierre-Jolys Museum, P.O. Box 321 St. Pierre-Jolys, MB ROA 1V0.
