Obituary for Guy Marcel Savoie
Guy Marcel Savoie
May 31, 1934 – June 16, 2023
On Friday, June 16, 2023, Guy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Guy will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Léa (née Jamault) and his children, Lisa, Michelle (Dale McEachern), Pauline (André Bosc), Joseph (Nancy), Jean-Paul (Jennifer), Louise (Paul Valmont). He also leaves to mourn 17 grandchildren: Frédéric Presber, Nathalie Presber (Paul Huss), Melanie Presber (Ciaran Cooper), Marie-Eve Presber, Joseph Guay (Erin Reimer), Madeleine Guay (Kirk Seniuk), René Bosc (Julie), Daniel Bosc (Janine Loiselle), Rachèle Coutts (Steven), Denis Bosc (Kate MacKenzie), Luke, Christian, David, Élyse, Josée Duplak (Stephen), Gabryelle Dorge (Éric), Sophie Valmont. He also leaves to mourn 10 great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Léopold, Oscar, Rosalie, Louis, Isabelle, Benoît, Marilou, Marnie and the 10th great-grandchild to be born early August. He is also survived by his brother, Aimé Savoie (Ida) and his 2 sisters: Estelle (Tony Possberg) and Jacqueline. Guy is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Simone (née Sicotte), his brothers, Raymond and Roger, as well as Léa’s parents, Joseph Jamault and Marie (née Maillard).
Guy was born in Rainy River, Ontario, the fourth of six children. The family moved to St. Boniface where he attended École Provencher, an all-boys school and Collège St. Boniface known for its Jesuit education at the time. It was there that he completed secondary education. Upon graduation, Guy enlisted with the RCMP (1954). He served for 8 years in Quebec and Saskatchewan while also attaining a 2-year law degree. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Léa in 1958. Children soon followed and in 1962, the family moved to Brandon, Manitoba where he began his business career as proprietor of Thunderbird Bowling Lanes & restaurant. More children followed. Subsequently, the family moved to St. Boniface in 1973 where he furthered his education in obtaining his Business Management Certificate from the University of Manitoba. He then pursued business endeavors such as manager of Club LaVérendrye and proprietor of Chez Michelle hair dressing salons.
Among his most notable achievements are the following:
- City of Winnipeg: City Councillor representing Taché ward (Old St. Boniface) 1979-1989
- CEO of City of Wpg Executive Policy Committee 1985-1988
- Committee of Environment: Chairperson 1983-1984
- City Police Commissioner
- Winnipeg Convention Centre: President & CEO
- Festival du Voyageur : President 1977-1979
- Brigade de la Rivière Rouge : Founding member & President 1977-1989
- L’Union Nationale Métisse St. Joseph du Manitoba : President 1999-2001 ; permanent Elder
- Chalet Louis Riel : President
- Foyer St. Vincent : President
- Chevaliers de Colomb : Conseil Goulet, Précieux-Sang, Grand-Chevalier 2010-2012
- Paroisse de l’Eglise du Précieux-Sang : President of Finance Commitee for several years
- Voyageur Wilderness Programme Ltd : Jan 1986 to present
Guy served on many other civic committees, several board of directors and community organisations for the City of Winnipeg and St. Boniface. For instance: the negotiation and development of The Forks with Mayor Bill Norrie, the Riverwalk, St. Boniface Cathedrale walkway and Fort Gibraltar.
Guy was actively invested in numerous committees and boards with the Catholic churches in every parish the family resided. Specifically, in St. Boniface, he was a driving force behind the funding and development of the Précieux-Sang parish hall and administrative offices. Perhaps one of the most profound of his achievements was Voyageur Wilderness Programme Ltd. Through this family operated business, the environmental education program benefited young students at high schools and universities by giving them the opportunity to experience, appreciate and respect nature. The program has since transitioned to the next generation to continue Guy and Léa’s legacy.
Throughout Guy’s lifetime, his devotion and love for his wife Léa, his family and his deep Catholic faith were his beacons and guided him. In his commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and dear friends, he was always available to lend an ear and share some words of supporting wisdom. His interests were varied and wide: from travel, history, ecology, science, politics to global affairs. He had a natural talent and exceptional skill in carpentry. Guy’s ‘joie de vivre’ was obvious in his love of song, a good joke, ‘un bon p’tit coup’ and his boisterous laugh. “Il y a longtemps qu’on t’aime, jamais qu’on ne t’oubliera”
In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions to CancerCare Winnipeg, Church or charity of choice.
In keeping with Guy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Prayers will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street. Funeral mass celebrating his life will be held Monday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m., with eulogies and remembrances starting at 10:30 a.m., in Précieux Sang Church, 200 Kenny Street.
May 31, 1934 – June 16, 2023
On Friday, June 16, 2023, Guy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Guy will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Léa (née Jamault) and his children, Lisa, Michelle (Dale McEachern), Pauline (André Bosc), Joseph (Nancy), Jean-Paul (Jennifer), Louise (Paul Valmont). He also leaves to mourn 17 grandchildren: Frédéric Presber, Nathalie Presber (Paul Huss), Melanie Presber (Ciaran Cooper), Marie-Eve Presber, Joseph Guay (Erin Reimer), Madeleine Guay (Kirk Seniuk), René Bosc (Julie), Daniel Bosc (Janine Loiselle), Rachèle Coutts (Steven), Denis Bosc (Kate MacKenzie), Luke, Christian, David, Élyse, Josée Duplak (Stephen), Gabryelle Dorge (Éric), Sophie Valmont. He also leaves to mourn 10 great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Léopold, Oscar, Rosalie, Louis, Isabelle, Benoît, Marilou, Marnie and the 10th great-grandchild to be born early August. He is also survived by his brother, Aimé Savoie (Ida) and his 2 sisters: Estelle (Tony Possberg) and Jacqueline. Guy is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Simone (née Sicotte), his brothers, Raymond and Roger, as well as Léa’s parents, Joseph Jamault and Marie (née Maillard).
Guy was born in Rainy River, Ontario, the fourth of six children. The family moved to St. Boniface where he attended École Provencher, an all-boys school and Collège St. Boniface known for its Jesuit education at the time. It was there that he completed secondary education. Upon graduation, Guy enlisted with the RCMP (1954). He served for 8 years in Quebec and Saskatchewan while also attaining a 2-year law degree. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Léa in 1958. Children soon followed and in 1962, the family moved to Brandon, Manitoba where he began his business career as proprietor of Thunderbird Bowling Lanes & restaurant. More children followed. Subsequently, the family moved to St. Boniface in 1973 where he furthered his education in obtaining his Business Management Certificate from the University of Manitoba. He then pursued business endeavors such as manager of Club LaVérendrye and proprietor of Chez Michelle hair dressing salons.
Among his most notable achievements are the following:
- City of Winnipeg: City Councillor representing Taché ward (Old St. Boniface) 1979-1989
- CEO of City of Wpg Executive Policy Committee 1985-1988
- Committee of Environment: Chairperson 1983-1984
- City Police Commissioner
- Winnipeg Convention Centre: President & CEO
- Festival du Voyageur : President 1977-1979
- Brigade de la Rivière Rouge : Founding member & President 1977-1989
- L’Union Nationale Métisse St. Joseph du Manitoba : President 1999-2001 ; permanent Elder
- Chalet Louis Riel : President
- Foyer St. Vincent : President
- Chevaliers de Colomb : Conseil Goulet, Précieux-Sang, Grand-Chevalier 2010-2012
- Paroisse de l’Eglise du Précieux-Sang : President of Finance Commitee for several years
- Voyageur Wilderness Programme Ltd : Jan 1986 to present
Guy served on many other civic committees, several board of directors and community organisations for the City of Winnipeg and St. Boniface. For instance: the negotiation and development of The Forks with Mayor Bill Norrie, the Riverwalk, St. Boniface Cathedrale walkway and Fort Gibraltar.
Guy was actively invested in numerous committees and boards with the Catholic churches in every parish the family resided. Specifically, in St. Boniface, he was a driving force behind the funding and development of the Précieux-Sang parish hall and administrative offices. Perhaps one of the most profound of his achievements was Voyageur Wilderness Programme Ltd. Through this family operated business, the environmental education program benefited young students at high schools and universities by giving them the opportunity to experience, appreciate and respect nature. The program has since transitioned to the next generation to continue Guy and Léa’s legacy.
Throughout Guy’s lifetime, his devotion and love for his wife Léa, his family and his deep Catholic faith were his beacons and guided him. In his commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and dear friends, he was always available to lend an ear and share some words of supporting wisdom. His interests were varied and wide: from travel, history, ecology, science, politics to global affairs. He had a natural talent and exceptional skill in carpentry. Guy’s ‘joie de vivre’ was obvious in his love of song, a good joke, ‘un bon p’tit coup’ and his boisterous laugh. “Il y a longtemps qu’on t’aime, jamais qu’on ne t’oubliera”
In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions to CancerCare Winnipeg, Church or charity of choice.
In keeping with Guy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Prayers will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street. Funeral mass celebrating his life will be held Monday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m., with eulogies and remembrances starting at 10:30 a.m., in Précieux Sang Church, 200 Kenny Street.