John Lemieux, ne Rosaire Jeaneau Lemieux
elevated 1MBRi Visitation
Friday, August 11, 2023 from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 pm
elevated 1MBRi Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 1MBRi Funeral Mass
Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 12:00 pm
elevated 1MBRi Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated 1MBRi Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
elevated 1MBRi Obituary
elevated 1MBRi Born May 17, 1931 Cochrane, Ontario son of Joseph Lemieux and Flore Morin. Joseph migrated from the French community of Waterbury Connecticut for a career on the Northern Ontario Railway.
elevated 1MBRi On August 4, 2023 John died peacefully in his Toronto home at the age of 92.
elevated 1MBRi Predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Joan (nee Ryan), his daughter Denise. John is survived by his three sons Bill (& Leanne Suitor), Paul, and Peter (& Susan), grandchildren Eric (& Marie), Ian, and Gillian and his loving companion for the last 20 years, Flora Rzezniczek
elevated 1MBRi He lived a long full life from his upbringing in northern Ontario, where he worked as a teenager at a lumber camp famously claiming that he was a “pilot” – “pile it here, pile it there!”. Humour was certainly one of his best qualities. At a young age, he set his ambitions south where he was offered a job picking berries, only to be turned down on arrival – this was a job for women, the anglophone employer was confused by the name Rosaire. He had a number of interesting jobs along the way from driving instructor, working on the infamous Avro Arrow, The Armed Forces Reserve, selling Fuller brush and cemetery plots, eventually stationed as a North York Firefighter at Station 1 on Yonge Street. In the early 1960’s he built his own home for his young family in the then brand new Willowdale neighbourhood north of Toronto, enlisting the help of his mates from the firehall with experience in the trades. While working as a Firefighter he followed in his fathers footsteps selling furniture.
elevated 1MBRi Family was very important and included may road trips including Florida, Cape Cod, the Maritimes, and Western Canada.
elevated 1MBRi After retirement, he kept himself busy organising group trips for friends, joined a marching band as a flag bearer, on the executive committee for the North York Retired Firefighters, and the Toronto Firefighter War Vets Association, member of the Toronto Legion branch 527, lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and volunteering to bring gifts to orphanages in Ukraine in the 1990s.
elevated 1MBRi His sense of humor surely will be missed – always playing pranks on his grandchildren, his infectious laugh, positive spirit, and caring nature. He was a devout Roman Catholic and a true man of God.
elevated 1MBRi John’s favorite charity is the Bob Rumball Foundation for the Deaf, 2395 Bayview Ave. Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2 (416-449-9651 fundrasing@bobrumball.org).
elevated 1MBRi May he forever rest in peace.
John will be missed. He was a very thoughtful man and always
thinking of others. He was also very generous. I will miss him
at our family get togethers. Rest in peace.
Susan,Bill,Paul and Peter,and Family. With sincere Sympathy from our Family to yours, in the loss of such a Great Father.
Famous Quote from my Buddy John was always, Comment Ca Va. Yes we did spend some wonderful time, on and off the Job together, which I will cherish forever. Looking back to the many years of friendship, we feel very thankful to have had that opportunity and enjoyment. Now may John ( Mon Amie) Rest in Peace.
Darlene , George Hache and Family
John was a great Knight I enjoyed John during my stay as a K O C at Blessed Trinity.I believethat he brings his good humor with him to heaven.
Joe Vaessen.
Best father-in-law ever! He still called me “the young bride” after 37 years of marriage. Gotta love that. Thank you for being such an amazing, ever present, fun loving grandfather and role model to my children. You will be missed. Bonsoir mes amis, bonsoir.
Thinking of you Peter, Sue and families on the loss of your father. Cherish the many fond memories of good times spent together. He seemed to be a very busy man who accomplished so many things. ♥️ Mark and Teresa
John was present in our lives since I married Dan many years ago. John was so kind, generous and welcoming. We were fortunate to see him last year at Jeannine’s celebration of life. We have fond memories of a trip to Cuba with our family, john, Flora and his sisters Jeannine and Teresa in 2007. The Goodwin family will miss him greatly. Our deep sympathies to his family.
John was a faithful member of “The Fabulous Invictones” for 20 years and contributed in many ways to the success of the group. His sense of humour was droll and contagious, and his assistance in our setting up and taking down for each show was invaluable.
May he sing with the angels.
So sorry for your loss and for the loss to the Lemieux Family. He gave us more laughs and memories that I will always cherish.
May he rest in peace. I will miss him.
John joined the Fabulous Invictones sometime in 2000.
I along with many many, good men have had the great honour and privilege of standing shoulder to shoulder with John for all of those years.
As Bill Seli says, his droll, infectious humour added a light-hearted smile to the thousands that the ‘FABS’ have entertained during our almost 70 year history.
Thanks John, you and Flora certainly will be missed by us.
Charles and Eleanor
Loss is never easy and the inability to say goodbye makes the pain even more unbearable.
Welcoming and loving from the first time I met him. A man who reminded you to live and smile for each day you are gifted. He taught us to live life to the fullest, love it unconditionally, embrace it with open arms and remember to keep smiling. He created a wonderful life, a beautiful and loving family who will continue to honor him.
I am beyond privileged to have had the ability to create memories with Grandpa for close to 12 years. Memories that will be close to my heart forever and will help with the grieving pain.
Grandpa John,
Thank you for everything; for all the funnies from the Sunday paper, for giving Eric & I the “love birds” title, for all the stories you shared, for all the laughs you gave, and for being the greatest grandfather-in-law.
Grandpa John, Rest In Peace. Forever in our hearts.
Marie-Louise Tonea-Lemieux
We were sad to learn of John’s passing and would like to pass on our condolences to your family.
We last saw John at the beginning of May, at our Dad service. He and Dad were comrades, who shared many years together with the NYRFFA, the TFFWVA, and the Legion. They often travelled together to the many meetings and events. We always enjoyed chatting with John on the phone or in person when he came over to pick Dad up.
Karen & Bruce Elliott
& Bruce Jennings
So sorry for your loss I remember John was a very happy man. Always remember John with a smile and a laugh for I am sure that is the way John would like to be remembered.
I so enjoyed seeing John at Peter and Sue’s place when visiting; such a warm welcoming smile and a fun personality and there beside him Flora 🦋 with great stories. Be strong Lemieux family and know that he is there with you and you as well sweet Flora 🌺 … such a giving man from what I have been reading and a member of the Knights of Columbus who are all about giving through their love of Christ. May the Lord be with you John and God Bless your family and watch over them. A long time friend of the family …Joyce
Dear cousin John; he will be missed. He called me “young Rose”I loved it.