Roch Noël Pilon Dec 25, 1924- Feb 2, 2015
It is with great sadness that the family of Mr. Roch Pilon age 90 years, announce his passing. He left us peacefully on Feb. 02, 2015 with his daughter Beverly at his bedside. Roch was born on Dec. 25, 1924 in Hearst, Ontario to Joseph and Mathilda Pilon.
The second of 3 sons & one of nine children, Roch moved to Thunder Bay (then MacIntyre Township) with his family as a young child, attending the one room #7 School and eventually Port Arthur Technical Institute where he met the love of his life and soul mate Eleanor (White). They were married for 65 years before Eleanor passed away on April 28, 2010.
Roch was also predeceased by his parents Joseph and Mathilda, his sister, Jean (Archie) Carrier, his brother Paul (Amelia) Pilon , and daughter Gayle Patricia in infancy.
Roch is survived by his children: Nadeen Lee Felstead (Richard) of Brandon, Manitoba, Beverly Jewel Parrott (John) of Chilliwack, BC, and Cleon Joseph Pilon of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren: Ryan & Lindsay Felstead, Amy (Jason) Hugh, Aaron (Lindsay) Parrott, Jennifer Parrott, Roc and Kalina Pilon; their mother Patricia (Trudeau) Pilon, from Iles des Chenes, Manitoba also resides in Boise; great grandchildren Julia and Owen Hugh, his brother Bill (Rheal) Pilon (Helene), sisters Yvonne Olenik-Heyder, Sherry Dagenais, Cecile Chiasson, Theresa (Frank) Newbold of Little Britain, Ontario, and Charmaine Cherneski as well as by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Roch was a very loving and dedicated husband and father. He pursued lifelong education utilizing correspondence courses as a young father in the 1940's and 50's to equip himself for a 20 year career in mechanical drafting and engineering for the CD Howe Company & Edible Oils Ltd. When Edible Oils closed in the mid 1960's, he again applied the same strategy to learn supply chain management and build a second career with the Lakehead Board of Education from which he retired. In retirement,Roch and Eleanor enjoyed travelling and gardening but his primary focus was always his home and family.
His learning continued as he read voraciously on the natural sciences, physics and mechanics as well as Canadian history. His interest in the military started as a cadet in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Squadron #84-1943 and he was an Avro Arrow enthusiast. He and Eleanor also enjoyed square dancing in past years as members of the Red River Reelers and were founding members of the Intercity walking group "Shake, Chatter and Stroll".
The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude for the wonderful care provided by family physician Dr. Reid, Dr.'s Lai, Dhurjohn, and Bon. as well as to TBRHSC Dr. Masoudi, Dr. Peeva, Amy Palliative Care RN, all the nursing staff 1A Medical/Oncology Unit and ER staff, the staff at Chartwell, CCAC and support staff. And a very special thank you to his dedicated sister Yvonne and brother Bill (Helene), Suzanne and Royden Potvin, Carole Sawchuk, Simmone Kehl, and other extended family who were always there for him. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street, with Rev.
Nancy Ringham presiding. The reception will follow the funeral service. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial donations to the Health Sciences Foundation, Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay or the Ontario Heart & Stroke Foundation. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
