Manitouwadge Mourns Hector Forgues
Written by Angèle C.M. Forgues
Hector Joseph Forgues passed away peacefully, in the presence of his family, on Saturday November 29, 2014 at the Manitouwadge General Hospital. Submitted photo,Click to enlarge.
HECTOR JOSEPH FORGUES (1929-2014)
It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Hector Joseph Forgues, who passed away peacefully, in the presence of family members, on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the Manitouwadge General Hospital.
In 1945, at the age of 15, Hector boarded a train that was headed to Alberta on a farm excursion to help the farmers harvest their crops. This was the time of World War 2 and many of the sons of farmers were enlisted overseas fighting the great war. During the winter months he would head to the logging bush camps in northern Ontario and Quebec, returning in the spring to help on the family farm. By the age of 21 he began his career in mining with his cousin Fernand Trudeau. In 1951 the both of them headed to Kitimat, British Columbia to work on the 10-mile Mining Project, which was also known as the Alcan Project. There he quickly worked his way up the ranks from a Driller to a Walker, which is equivalent to a Mining Captain in Ontario, and attained a world record with Morrison-Knudsen Company for mucking the fastest round in one shift.
In 1953 he met a beautiful young woman, the only daughter in a family with 4 sons. As luck would have it, she lived down the lane from the house that he had just purchased. Spring of the following year arrived and with it a proposal from the young man. Hector and Muriel were married in August of 1954 and began an amazing journey together.
By 1963 the winds of Northern Ontario brought news of greater opportunity that could be found in a small, remote community that was in its infancy. This is where the young family would move after Hector had built the family home. A well-respected and liked member of this quickly growing town, Hector was well known for his humour and generosity, establishing a succession of successful businesses and watched his family grow as the Township of Manitouwadge grew. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
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At the age of 85, Hector was one of the few remaining “old timers” of the Township of Manitouwadge. He was a dedicated husband, loving father, extremely hard worker, an eloquent writer, voracious reader and was very well-travelled, having visited 28 countries with his wife Muriel after their children launched their years of globe trotting adventures on their 25th wedding anniversary.
Hector is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Muriel (nee Billings) Forgues. Loving father of the late infant son André. Survived by his children Pauline Wieteska (Jerry), Annette Doyle (Ab), Jocelyne Myles (Randy), Angèle Forgues, Jacqueline Forgues (Robert) and Ronald Forgues (Ginette). Cherished grandfather of Scott, Christina, Stephanie, Darcy, Karry, Kenneth, Lane, Danielle, Gabrielle, Dominique, Aimee, Melanie and Nicholas. Proud great grandfather of Taylor, Cody, Riley, Janelle, Corran, Emma, Angelynne, Janik, Rhylan and Alena. Dear son of the late Joseph Forgues and Alfreda Gourde. As one of 12 children, he is survived by his only living sibling, his sister Yvette Latremouille of Ottawa, Ontario, as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Predeceased by his sisters Armande, Cecile, Jeannette, and his brothers Aldemar, Euclid, Rhéo, Rhéal, Ivan, Aimé and Alban.
Family and friends are invited to visit at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Manitouwadge on Wednesday December 3, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until time of the Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Lawrence Susai officiating. Memorial donations can be made to the Manitouwadge Cancer Assistance Group or to the Manitouwadge General Hospital would be greatly appreciated by the family.
“The Forgues family would like to thank the staff at the Manitouwadge General Hospital for taking such good care of Hector during the years that he was hospitalized. You have assuaged the anxiety that not just our family but the relatives of our father had and that the years he was under your care, especially his final days were carried out with the highest quality and dignity. Thank you also to the friends, family and members of the community who have been there to emotionally support our mother. Your thoughtful acts, even the slightest ones, are greatly appreciated by all of us. We would also like to thank the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Church for supporting our parents spiritually and especially our mother during the difficult final days as our father slowly lost his battle against Parkinson’s disease. “
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Funeral arrangements entrusted to the P.M. Gilmartin Funeral Home, Wawa, 1-800-439-4937.
