LEMIEUX, Stan Joseph

June 10, 1916 - June 14, 2020

STAN JOSEPH LEMIEUX passed away in Calgary with the loving care of his family by his side. Stan celebrated his 104th birthday expressing appreciation and best wishes for his family and friends. Beloved husband of the late Kathleen Agnes Moran (1916-1998), loving father of John (1945-2017), Paul (Sandra Lemus), Ann (Colin Powell), and Lawrence (Joanne Affleck). Grandfather to Jennifer, Kathy, Matthew, Lexi; Luis, Amanda, Andrea; Brendan, Kevin, Jacqueline and Connor. He enjoyed seeing and hearing about his ten great-grandchildren. Stan was the first child of Elizabeth Power Merriman and Joseph Emile Lemieux. He was predeceased by his siblings Rita (Young), Louise, Irene and Joseph. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Robert (Grenda) Moran, sister-in-law, Hilda (Macdonald) Moran and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Stan was born and grew up in Montreal and relished telling stories of his early life in Point St. Charles and attending Thomas D’arcy Mcgee High School. He reminisced about visiting his Lemieux relatives in the country at Christmastime and sleigh rides in a winter wonderland setting. He loved his mother and her Irish roots and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day was a blessed family tradition.

As a young man he was athletic, played football and liked being referred to as a very fast "flying wing". He loved big band music. His social life brought him to the big dance halls of the day. It wasn’t long before he met the Morans and soon after married Kathleen Moran in 1942. Stan led a principled life - he was honest, hardworking, strong willed and a devout Roman Catholic. He loved and was proud of his children.

Stan enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was called into active duty in early 1942 during the Second World War. He was stationed in Calgary and ever after described Calgary as "God’s country". After a 38 year career with the International Harvester Company, Stan retired in 1978, as Manager, Regional Truck Marketing for Eastern Canada.

During these years, he participated in the life of St. Brendan’s parish, volunteered at St. Jean de Dieu psychiatric institution and was an active and longest serving member of the Third Order of the Franciscans, St. Patrick’s Fraternity in Montreal. The Order consists of religious and lay men and women who try to emulate St. Francis’s spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service. He was inducted into the Order in 1937, some 83 years ago!

In his retirement years Stan remained involved with the community as he applied his impressive financial skills volunteering at Almage Senior Citizen Center in Montreal as treasurer, as well as helping many vulnerable older adults with their investments, tax returns and settling estates. His integrity and financial knowledge was a service that was trusted and deeply valued.

When Kathleen passed away he was bereft and he found new meaning with Refuge Juan Moreno, an emergency shelter for refugee claimants. He listened and learned from refugee women and offered his skills to help with the bureaucratic channels they had to navigate. It has been said of him that he was "a role model to everyone who knew him. He was an example of generosity, kindness, hard work and philanthropy".

Well into his tenth decade he was remarkable for his incredible energy and autonomy. He lived in his own home until 100 years of age, then moved to Calgary which proved to be a harder adjustment than expected. Over his final few years he developed heart disease yet remained resilient and determinedly independent. Until the end and during the devastating COVID lockdown he would say "Well, let’s hope for the best, we’ll get through this, I’m saying a prayer for you."

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal once restrictions are lifted. His remains will be interred alongside Kathleen’s at Cote de Neiges Cemetery in the Guinea - Lemieux family plot No.260.

A Celebration of Life will be held virtually on Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. EDT, 6 p.m. CDT, 5 p.m. MDT and 4 p.m. PDT.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Franciscans of Canada at: www.franciscanfriars.ca/make-a-donation/ or a charity of your choice.

May the strength of God pilot us, May the wisdom of God instruct us, May the hand of God protect us, May the word of God direct us, May thy Salvation, O Lord, Be always ours this day and for evermore. Amen

St. Patrick, A.D.389