Adrien Gosselin

Surrounded by family, Adrien Gosselin passed away in the St. Boniface Hospital on August 25, 2019 at the age of 76 years.

Adrien was born to James and Marguerite (Fleury) Gosselin on November 10, 1942 in Swan River, MB. He spent his childhood years on the farm in Bellsite, MB and received his education in Glover Creek’s one room school house. At the age of 14 he left home for St. Lazare to continue his education; this only lasted a short while before he set out looking for work. He started with CN and eventually ended up in Prince Rupert, BC working on the diamond drills. Adrien was considered a drifter in his younger years; he was not afraid of work and travelled miles to make his living. Over the years he made homes in Flin Flon, Thompson, Birch River, and Winnipeg.

On December 6, 1969 Adrien married Merle Primrose and on April 21, 1970 they welcomed their only child Wanda into the world. After becoming a father Adrien started working in the Birch River Hotel and drove taxi to be near home but he found his true passion in the logging industry. He worked in the bush with numerous family members and even started doing his own logging business, travelling as far as Anama Bay with his crew of guys.

September 5, 1988 Adrien and Merle were in a car accident on the way down from Bell Lake; this taking a toll on his health and mobility but he always remained persistent to enjoy what he could out of every day. From that point on he devoted his time to raising his grandchildren Lisa, Kayla, and Courtney. After the passing of his son-in-law Marlow in 2003 the family moved from Birch to Swan River and Adrien being a true family man played a large roll in raising the rest of his grandchildren Tyler, Ashlee, and Cody. He eventually carried the same bonds with his great-grandchildren. It wasn’t too often that you would see him without one of the kids; he loved his family and treated them like gold.    

In March of 2019 Adrien and Merle relocated to Winnipeg with their daughter so Adrien could access better health care. He talked often of returning home to the Valley but his health never allowed for it. He was looking forward to October and had a plan to spend a week at his sister May’s.

He loved the outdoors; fishing, hunting, and gardening were just a few of his hobbies. His gardens were always immaculate and he spoke often over the past few years that “he and Dennis were going out to get a jumper this fall.” He liked to take his family out for car rides to enjoy the country side; he’d spend hours driving up and down every gravel road watching wildlife and seeing what farmer had the best crops. He ended up becoming a Bingo pro throughout his life. If he got down to one number you’d hear about it for weeks; especially if it was a big pot.

He was a kind, generous, humble man; he was always willing to help anyone and everyone. He served time with the Birch River Lion’s, President of the Crandall Cemetery and President of the Northern Neighbors Senior Centre. No matter where he was he seemed to know somebody and if he didn’t you can bet he knew someone by the time he left. He would laugh, joke, and tell stories to whoever would listen. He could tell a joke like no other and possibly could have made a living as a comedian.

Left to cherish his memory: his wife Merle; Daughter Wanda; Grandchildren Lisa (Jon), Kayla (Matt), Courtney (Leonard), Tyler, Ashlee, and Cody; Great-Grandchildren Vanessa, Kayden, Waylon, William, Jackson, Connor, Rhett, Chloe, Ethan, Abel, Raylene, and Lexi. Brothers Louis Gosselin, Dennis (Liza) Gosselin, Raymond (Pam) Gosselin; Sisters Freda (Herb) Leslie, Leona (Ernie) Gruberbauer, May (Dave) Solski, Phyliss (Clifford) Stevenson, Shirley (Ron) Watson; Brothers-in-law Miles Corbett, Andy Parthenais, Allan Primrose; foster son Leslie Linklater; and family and friends galore!

Adrien was predeceased by his parents James and Marguerite Gosselin; Sisters Rita Wiepjes, Laura Corbett, Bernadette Parthenais; Nephews Duane Gosselin, Leigh Watson; Niece Tammy Leslie; Brothers-in-law Kris Torfason, Simon Wiepjes; Son-in-law Marlow Young, Mother and Father-in-law Velma and William “Luke” Primrose; also a special little dog Ginger (Adrien would be seen driving around town with the dog sitting in the front seat while Merle rode in the back.)

Active Pallbearers are Raymond Gosselin, Dennis Gosselin, Jon Boyko, Tyler Young, Sheldon Stevenson, and Matt Beaudry. All of Adrien’s friends and family are considered honorary pallbearers.

If anyone wishes to make a tribute in Adrien’s name the family requests for you to do a random act of kindness; whether it’s buying a stranger coffee or simply helping someone with their groceries. “It’s not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.” –Mother Teresa

Evening Prayers

Friday, August 30th, 2019 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Paull Funeral Home,

 Swan River, Manitoba

Funeral Service

Saturday, August 31st, 2019 at 10:00 AM from Birch River Legion Hall,

Birch River, Manitoba.

Officiating

Reverend Kathy Highmoor

Resting Place

Following the service, Adrien will be

laid to rest in the Bellsite Cemetery,

Bellsite, Manitoba

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