Just 3 weeks shy of my 89th birthday I was called to the fishing place of my dreams! Nothing but trophy fish and eater size walleyes for me now! I had a really good life, thanks to my parents Sauveur and Lucie Desrosiers. By the way they say hi everyone! My brothers (Ernest, René, Gérard, Joe), sisters (Alice, Lucille, Agnes, Cécile, Claire) and I were raised on the family farm in Ste. Genevieve, MB. As a young adult male, I served my Country as a member of 2 Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry during WW II. It was around that time that I met this lovely woman from Lorette, MB. On May 10, 1947 Marie Jeanne Dugas became the rose of my life! I loved her then and I love her now! Together we created 5 children who we raised, watched and mentored right up to this day! Over the years, I dabbled in a variety of jobs to make ends meet. I owned DESROSIERS TRANSFER and delivered goods from Winnipeg to points east of the city. For a while, I drove a truck from Steinbach to Oshawa, Ontario to pick up vehicles for sales back in Manitoba! After that I built houses and other construction projects; including our house in Ste. Genevieve that we moved to Ste. Anne in 1960. A disagreement with an electric saw in the early 1960s caused permanent injury to my left hand. That was the end of my career in the construction industry. Many nights traveling to what is now known as Red River Community College in Winnipeg resulted in obtaining my 3rd Class Engineering ticket. With that under my belt, I began a 23 year career as the maintenance man at the Ste. Anne Hospital. During that time I was also active in the MGEU as the shop steward. We even went on strike one year! I was offered higher paying jobs but that meant commuting to work. With the job I had, it took me 3 minutes (with a rolling stop) to get to work! Mom worked at the hospital too and I had lots of friends and a steady pay cheque. Life was very good! It was around 1966 that I was introduced to fishing. My partners and I portaged into High Lake and I caught 3 lake trout. The fish weren’t the only things hooked that day! So began a passion for fishing that lasted right until today. I chased after all kinds of fish; walleye, pike, lake trout, catfish, sturgeon. My favourite though was the eater size walleye. I loved cooking those white fillets in butter. No fancy coating or spices; just salt and pepper! Marie Jeanne and I loved to travel too. We’ve been to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts; experiencing each Province and Yukon Territory in our travels. We’ve been to Alaska and a number of other U.S. states. Caught salmon and halibut on the Alaska trip! I’ve lost track of how convoys to northern Manitoba we participated in. If there’s another thing that Marie Jeanne and I loved to do was jump in the car and go for a ride. I know that you all preferred that we called in advance but deep down I think I didn’t want to give up the element of surprise! I’ve had the absolute pleasure of making so many friends! You all have a place in my heart and I thank you for your friendships. Finally, I just want to tell my children that you are all very special: as are your spouses, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Gilles and Yvette (David – Aesia, Danielle – Chad and my little buddy Kenyan), Gilbert and Gayle (Randy – Tracy with Bodin and Payton; Richard – Jen; Andrew (Ashley); Cameron and Erica), Guy and Irene (Chantal – Scott and Gabrielle; Gérald – Wiljane and Jenevieve; Jocelyne – Mike and Brody and Cole), Lil and André, and finally André and Rachelle (Janelle and Serge). We had wonderful times so please focus on those as you grieve my passing! Remember that I love you all and will continue to watch over you while I’m wetting a line in my favourite fishing hole! So don’t grieve too long cause I want to see your fish too! To my beloved Marie Jeanne! I love you with all my heart! You are in good hands as our family is the best! I know that because you and I raised them! Till we meet again… As per Lou’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ste. Anne Roman Catholic Church in Ste. Anne, MB. The family invites all who attend the service to join them at the Club Jovial for a light lunch. Interment of Lou’s ashes will take place in the Ste. Genevieve Cemetery shortly after the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so desire, donations may be made to the Manitoba Natural Resource Officers’ Association (www.mnroa.com) or charitable organization of choice.