George Laurant VanCauwenberghe
Aug. 20, 1936 – Oct.11, 2024
In the early morning hours with family by his side at Douglas Campbell Lodge, we watched you slip away from us, and we realized in that very moment life again was going to be much different for us.
Dad started life on the farm in Swan Lake, MB. with his parents Marcel and Elodie, and his 4 other siblings, Doreen, Albert, Eileen and Margaret. Later he would adopt a stepfather Harry D’Hont. Dad shared many a memory of life on the farm, and his hometown of Swan Lake and where he first learned his true hard-working work ethic. This proved to carry him far in his life and career. Dad married the love of his life Laurette DeGraeve on June 25th, 1960. Together they embarked on many life adventures together.
Dad started out young as an apprentice carpenter, until he was offered a job as a grain elevator assistant/labourer with Federal Grain. His hard work paid off and soon he found himself being offered a manager position with Manitoba Pool Elevator in Deloraine, MB. Dad and Mom built a life for themselves in this beloved community and started their little family of 5! Darcy 1st, then Daryl, followed by Keven, Shelly (Dad finally got his girl!) and finally Kelly.
Life was busy for Dad juggling work, and family life, he worked hard to provide for his family. Dad tried his best to make it to his kids hockey games and any of his kids events whenever he could. If anyone can recall he was very vocal in the cheerleading section of his kids hockey games. As a family we chuckle at this memory as unfortunately it resulted in him missing the end of the game.
Dad was well respected within the farming sector and always put the farmer first, he carried that philosophy with him throughout his entire career. Dad continued to climb the ropes and was offered a manager position with Manitoba Pool Elevator at Tucker just North of Portage la Prairie. With a 25 year career in Deloraine under his belt, he was ready to accept this new challenge. With the 2 youngest now teenagers in tow they built another life for themselves in Portage la Prairie. Dad didn’t waste any time, again the farmer came 1st, he was well known for his easy going nature, he was fair, but would stand up and fight for the farmer and give them the best possible price for their grain. His amazing work ethic was well revered. Dad had an astounding career as a manager and grain buyer and won the highest grain handle in Manitoba many many times. Dad was fortunate enough to retire at 58 years of age, but he wasn’t quite done yet….
Dad embarked on many years of selling hail insurance after his retirement, he was happy to be still involved in farm life! Dad and Mom spent many summers entertaining farmers and farmers wives as they filtered through the house during the busy hail insurance season. Dad did this for approx. 15 years, until he “officially” retired. He looked forward to throwing appreciation BBQ’s for the farmers every single year after the busy hail insurance season was done.
After work life was done, Dad found new hobbies and immersed himself into family life. He loved taking care of his lawn, and everyone else’s in the neighbourhood. Dandelions didn’t stand a chance on Dads lawn. He'd spend hours grooming his lawn. Family life became extremely important to Dad in these later years, he enjoyed company, and entertaining, being surrounded by friends and family was truly his happy place. Dad also occupied his time by becoming a transport driver for Portage Chrysler, he enjoyed driving and being on the open road!
As life ever continues to change, when Mom got sick in 2016 Dad became her fulltime caregiver. This was a challenging time in Dads life but he tackled each day with the kindness and patience that we stood in awe of. Thanks Dad thanks for taking such good care of Mom.
As a family we wish to convey that we felt the love of our Dad on a daily basis, he used to have a saying “work comes first” that changed for Dad after retirement, when he realized it was family first the entire time. We felt your love Dad, we hope you felt it back. Dads wit, sense of humour, and easy going nature made him a joy to be around. It was nice to see Dad slow down, and enjoy so many good years of retirement. Mom and him did a bit of travelling, but Dad was most content being at home surrounded by his family, and watching his grandchildren grow. Dad loved attention, and would ramp up the antics so we always played along. We were also very tolerable of his music choices as anyone that knew him, knew he was a HUGE Shania Twain lover! Dad had so many one liners and sayings, to many to mention here, but I guess it’s fair to say, our house was filled with laughter and complete joy! We will be repeating his sayings for years to come….
As again life continued to change for Dad, and after Moms passing in 2021, Dad moved into Douglas Campbell Lodge. Dad lived to the best of his ability, but found himself missing a life once had, and our Mom so much…
Left to mourn are his children Darcy VanCauwenberghe (Sheila Harmon) of Deloraine, MB. Daryl (Merna) VanCauwenberghe of Deloraine, MB. Keven (Colleen) VanCauwenberghe of Brandon, MB. Shelly (Daryl) Golly of Portage la Prarie, MB. Kelly (Jennifer) VanCauwenberghe of Portage la Prairie, MB.
Also left to mourn are his grandchildren Brandt (Teagan) VanCauwenberghe of Deloraine, MB. Krista VanCauwenberghe (Brady Adriaansen) of Carberry, MB.Tara (Jason Kozak) of Rapid City, MB. Brett and Abby VanCauwenberghe of Deloraine, MB. Also 2 great grandchildren Grace Cole and Kip VanCauwenberghe.
He is also survived by, his sister Doreen (George) VanDeKerckhove, sister Eileen Grenier, sister-in-law Della VanCauwenberghe, Claire DeGraeve, brother-in-law Jerry (Irene) DeGraeve. As well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Laurette, mother Elodie, father Marcel, stepfather Harry D’Hont, sister Margaret (Albert) Yackel, brother Albert VanCauwenberghe, brothers-in-law Celestine Grenier and Lon DeGraeve, sister-in-law Gerarda Devos, and nieces Karen Wise and Lisa Herriot.
At this time we wish to thank the staff at Douglas Campbell Lodge for the wonderful care Dad received while living there you all became a part of our extended family. Thank you for your support shown during Dads final hours.
Dad we reflect on your life and know it was a life well lived! You always told us and taught us to work hard, but Dad saying “Good bye” is the hardest job we’ve ever had to do. Until we meet again Dad… we love you.
A private family service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2:30 pm, the service will be live streamed and to register and view the service click below. Interment will take place at Hillside Memorial Park, Portage la Prairie, MB.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 40 Royal Road North, Portage la Prairie MB R1N 1V1, or to Douglas Campbell Lodge Foundation, c/o Portage District General Hospital, 150-9th St.SE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3T6.
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.