Obituary for Donald Thomas Meunier (Meunier)
Donald Thomas Meunier
Donald Thomas Meunier, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Golden Links Lodge in Winnipeg, on October 26, 2021, at the age of 85 years.
Born in Swift Current Saskatchewan on December 28, 1935, Donald was the first born of Romuald (Bob) and Mary (Mae) Meunier (nee Sullivan). Growing up, Don developed into a naturally collaborative leader and service oriented person. He married the love of his life, Connie Maclennan Tapp, in 1957. They built a wonderful life together, established on love, friendship, family, commitment and engagement in the community.
Don formed lifelong friendships founded on loyalty, caring and concern for others with his school classmates, with colleagues throughout his career journey and in the broader community, wherever life took him. After completing his studies in accounting at the University of Calgary, he became a Chartered Accountant and began his work in health care and hospital administration, first in North Battleford and then Regina, before moving in 1967 to what would become the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg. He took on several senior roles in accounting and planning, retiring in 2001 after serving several years as the HSC Director of Planning.
From an early age, Don developed a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility for family, friends, work and personal commitments. He was a dedicated family man. Together, he and Connie raised six children, providing each of them with love, a caring home, a wonderful model of family life, encouragement and practical support for their development and interests. Don spent countless hours ferrying children and grandchildren to their sports and other activities, while sharing wisdom and stories and being a careful listener. Holidays were spent packing up the family station wagon going on road trips to go camping and visiting family. Later, with the support of family, he built a cabin in Grindstone Park on the shores of Lake Winnipeg where he and Connie enjoyed many years hosting summer family gatherings and friends. They also enjoyed singing, music, ballroom dancing, and hosting get-togethers of friends made through the Catholic Family Movement (CFM), Worldwide Marriage Encounter, at the parish, other interest groups or in the community. Later in life, he and Connie also enjoyed annual winter holidays in Florida, often accompanied by close friends and other getaways with friends at Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park.
Don freely shared his many gifts and talents. As a father and grandfather, he loved each child dearly and was a strong presence, a teacher, a mentor and an ally until his final year. He enjoyed puns and sharing a good joke and often lightened the room with his good humour and spirit. He enjoyed books, especially non-fiction related to history, biographies and politics, kept up with current affairs and issues right to the end and relished conversations with family and friends related to such topics. Don was also very proud of his Saskatchewan roots and maintained a life-long love of the prairies including the landscapes, the people and its history. Over the years, he volunteered on numerous boards and freely provided his accounting expertise to multiple non-profits. He served as a Returning Officer in numerous elections. He served the Liberal Party St. Boniface constituency for many years, volunteered at St. Amant Centre, St. Bernadette Parish Council, St. Rafael Centre and numerous small non-profit agencies. He also served on the Condo Owners board at the Canoe Club Residence for many years.
Don is survived by his wife Connie, his brother Neil (Daphne) of Estevan, sister-in-law Betty Bolen (Carl) of Regina, and his children Andree Lussier (Tom), Marie-Terese Jackson (David), David (Lesley), Paul (Laurie), Marc (Lynne), and Claire Klatt (Alan). He is also survived by his grandchildren Daniel (Marie-Pascale), Martin (Amanda), Matthew (Dana), Michael (Tiffany), Aimee (Cyrus), Gabrielle, Ben, Jon, Will, James, Sarah, and Robert, step-grandchildren Margaret, Thomas and Gordon, great-grandchildren Raymond and Marie-Claire, seven step-great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Golden Links Lodge for their kindness and care. Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, it was Donald’s desire that donations in his memory be made to Gonzaga Middle School of Winnipeg, 174 Maple Street North, Winnipeg, R2W 3L4.
Cremation has taken place. A service and celebration of his life for immediate family and invited guests will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Coutu Funeral Home. For those who wish, the service and video tribute may be viewed by selecting the 'Photos & Videos' tab above the obituary, select 'Watch Video Tribute' for tribute and 'Watch Webcast' for full service.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca
Donald Thomas Meunier, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Golden Links Lodge in Winnipeg, on October 26, 2021, at the age of 85 years.
Born in Swift Current Saskatchewan on December 28, 1935, Donald was the first born of Romuald (Bob) and Mary (Mae) Meunier (nee Sullivan). Growing up, Don developed into a naturally collaborative leader and service oriented person. He married the love of his life, Connie Maclennan Tapp, in 1957. They built a wonderful life together, established on love, friendship, family, commitment and engagement in the community.
Don formed lifelong friendships founded on loyalty, caring and concern for others with his school classmates, with colleagues throughout his career journey and in the broader community, wherever life took him. After completing his studies in accounting at the University of Calgary, he became a Chartered Accountant and began his work in health care and hospital administration, first in North Battleford and then Regina, before moving in 1967 to what would become the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg. He took on several senior roles in accounting and planning, retiring in 2001 after serving several years as the HSC Director of Planning.
From an early age, Don developed a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility for family, friends, work and personal commitments. He was a dedicated family man. Together, he and Connie raised six children, providing each of them with love, a caring home, a wonderful model of family life, encouragement and practical support for their development and interests. Don spent countless hours ferrying children and grandchildren to their sports and other activities, while sharing wisdom and stories and being a careful listener. Holidays were spent packing up the family station wagon going on road trips to go camping and visiting family. Later, with the support of family, he built a cabin in Grindstone Park on the shores of Lake Winnipeg where he and Connie enjoyed many years hosting summer family gatherings and friends. They also enjoyed singing, music, ballroom dancing, and hosting get-togethers of friends made through the Catholic Family Movement (CFM), Worldwide Marriage Encounter, at the parish, other interest groups or in the community. Later in life, he and Connie also enjoyed annual winter holidays in Florida, often accompanied by close friends and other getaways with friends at Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park.
Don freely shared his many gifts and talents. As a father and grandfather, he loved each child dearly and was a strong presence, a teacher, a mentor and an ally until his final year. He enjoyed puns and sharing a good joke and often lightened the room with his good humour and spirit. He enjoyed books, especially non-fiction related to history, biographies and politics, kept up with current affairs and issues right to the end and relished conversations with family and friends related to such topics. Don was also very proud of his Saskatchewan roots and maintained a life-long love of the prairies including the landscapes, the people and its history. Over the years, he volunteered on numerous boards and freely provided his accounting expertise to multiple non-profits. He served as a Returning Officer in numerous elections. He served the Liberal Party St. Boniface constituency for many years, volunteered at St. Amant Centre, St. Bernadette Parish Council, St. Rafael Centre and numerous small non-profit agencies. He also served on the Condo Owners board at the Canoe Club Residence for many years.
Don is survived by his wife Connie, his brother Neil (Daphne) of Estevan, sister-in-law Betty Bolen (Carl) of Regina, and his children Andree Lussier (Tom), Marie-Terese Jackson (David), David (Lesley), Paul (Laurie), Marc (Lynne), and Claire Klatt (Alan). He is also survived by his grandchildren Daniel (Marie-Pascale), Martin (Amanda), Matthew (Dana), Michael (Tiffany), Aimee (Cyrus), Gabrielle, Ben, Jon, Will, James, Sarah, and Robert, step-grandchildren Margaret, Thomas and Gordon, great-grandchildren Raymond and Marie-Claire, seven step-great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Golden Links Lodge for their kindness and care. Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, it was Donald’s desire that donations in his memory be made to Gonzaga Middle School of Winnipeg, 174 Maple Street North, Winnipeg, R2W 3L4.
Cremation has taken place. A service and celebration of his life for immediate family and invited guests will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Coutu Funeral Home. For those who wish, the service and video tribute may be viewed by selecting the 'Photos & Videos' tab above the obituary, select 'Watch Video Tribute' for tribute and 'Watch Webcast' for full service.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca