Obituary of Maurice Coulombe

On the morning of Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Maurice passed away suddenly while on his daily walk near his home on Gosselin Road in St. Malo, MB. Two weeks short of his 74^th birthday, his passing was a shock to all who knew him.

Maurice will be sorely missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita (Preteau), sons John (Michelle) and Bob (Nicole), grandson Ryan and special adopted grandson Andrew Butler (Jenny). He is also survived by his mother, Noella (Carriere). Born the second eldest in a family of nine children, he will be fondly remembered by his brothers Henri (Yvonne), Arthur (Suzanne), Marcel (Monique), Richard (Rachael) and sisters Elaine Remanda (Bill), Rachelle Preteau, Madeleine Gentes (George) and Rose Preteau (Noel) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Also mourning his passing are sisters-in-law Aline Sveinson (Paul), Jeannette Trudel (Real) and Claudette Remillard (Jacques).

Maurice was predeceased by his father Benoit and sister-in-law Paulette Preteau.

Maurice lived his entire life in St. Malo. He grew up in his parents’ restaurant/grocery store business and it came as no surprise that he continued as an entrepreneur into his adult years. He partnered with his mother and brother Henri to own and run Coulombe Store until his retirement in 2007. Maurice held various other jobs throughout his life including working on the Dew Line, operated the recycle truck for EPIC, owned and managed the Vita Hotel, and was also driving a school bus for the Red River Valley School Division – but it is through his work at Coulombe Store that he will be remembered the most. Maurice was a “people person” who loved to chat. It seemed that everyone in town knew Moe and many will remember him as a down to earth, friendly, hard working man who would go the extra mile to make sure his customers were satisfied.

Maurice and Rita built their beautiful home, nestled in the trees surrounding St. Malo Lake in 1986. It was in this picturesque setting that he enjoyed feeding and monitoring the hundreds of birds who would stop by the lake and their yard. He kept a written record of the birds’ arrival and departure dates as well as the lake’s freezing and thawing dates.

Moe was a sports enthusiast! Having played the game himself, he was an avid hockey fan. He was a member of the renowned 1972-1973 St. Malo Warriors Dream Team which was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. After his Warriors playing days were over, he continued to lace up his skates for the Oldtimers and his beloved Rats team of the local Tin Cup Hockey League. He was a good judge of hockey talent and monitoring the progress of various up and coming junior hockey players was a favorite pastime of his. He attended countless hockey games through the years and it was with great pride that he would drive all over the province to see his son John’s and his grandson Ryan’s games. The Winnipeg Jets were his favorite NHL team. After the hockey seasons were over, it was time to focus on baseball. He had played baseball for the St. Malo Lakers and went on to coach both John and Bob in Little League. It goes without saying that Maurice was a diehard Toronto Blue Jays fan.

Maurice was passionate about the music he loved. His siblings still remember teenage Maurice cranking up the record player, full blast, to listen to his favourite singer…Roy Orbison. George Jones, the Everly Brothers, CCR, and Merle Haggard were also favorites. Among other music concerts, Maurice and Rita regularly attended Dauphin’s Countryfest.

Being Snowbirds, Maurice and Rita travelled extensively in the States; Yuma, Arizona, was their favorite winter home-away-from-home. Many happy memories were made at the cabin they built in Woodridge. Maurice was a proud Metis who loved to hunt and fish. Both Maurice and Rita would look forward to their annual fishing trip to Grand Rapids where the pickerel were plentiful.

The family wants to offer a heartfelt thank you to the passerby who called 911 and initiated CPR, as well as the paramedics, the RCMP and Dr. Kiani.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for Saturday, September 23, 2023, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Centre Jean Desrosiers located on Main Street in St. Malo, MB.

If so desired, donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5.

He will be missed.