Obituary of Joseph Amédée Chouinard

Amédée Chouinard, 89, a long time resident of Loch Lomond, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Saturday May 20, 2006, following a brief illness. Born in Balmoral, Restigouche County, he was the son of the late Charles Chouinard and Marie Santerre. Amédée is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Helen Elizabeth (Dwyer) Chouinard of New Glasgow, NS; two sons, Vernon (Patricia) and Peter (Terri); and two daughters, Anita Hooper (William) and Martha Butler (Thomas), all of Saint John. He was pre-deceased by son Joseph William at birth. He was loved by his grandchildren Krista Hartery (Michael), Craig Chouinard (Carmel Teasdale), Lisa Chouinard, Brent Hooper, Sarah Chouinard, Jill Butler, Jonathan Chouinard and Kathleen Butler; and great-grandchildren Keegan, Noah and Declan Hartery. He is predeceased by one brother, Raymond (Patricia) and is survived by three brothers; Alban (d. Albertine), Balmoral; Ralph (Irène), Saint John; Alphonse (Thérèse), Campbellton; and five sisters, Antonia (d. Adélard) Boudreau, Montreal, QC; Jeanne Jervais (d. Aldème), Montreal; Antoinette Boudreau (Graham), Glen Levit NB; Dorothée Bernard (d. Armand), Balmoral; Clarisse Arseneau (Roland), Pointe-Verte NB. Amédée was a veteran of the Second World War, having served with the Canadian Field Engineers from 1942-1947. Following his military service, he owned and operated Chouinard's Woodworking and Building Supplies in Loch Lomond for 40 years. He was very active in the Royal Canadian Legion for over 45 years, serving in all levels of the Legion Command. He was president of Saint John Branch #14 in 1971 and had served on the executive in one capacity or another for 22 years. At the time of his passing he was a member of the Jarvis Bay Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 53. From 1974 to 1977, he served as district commander for the Saint John District of the Royal Canadian Legion and as Provincial President of New Brunswick Command in 1980 and 1981. He was honoured to be the New Brunswick Command Representative on the Dominion Executive Council in 1985 and 1986. At the time of his death, Amédée was still active in the Legion and was a member of New Brunswick Command's Executive Council, having been elected to the position of Provincial Honorary-Treasurer. He was chairman of the Canadian National Track and Field Committee and appointed chairman of The Royal Canadian Legion National Unity Committee. He was awarded the Canada 125 Confederation Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Life Member Meritorious Service Medal. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 937, life member of the 4th Degree Msgr. Loughery Council and was an honorary member of the Carleton Curling Club. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, Waterloo Street, Saint John, with visitations on Monday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 23, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Loch Lomond Road, Saint John, on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. The family would appreciate remembrances to the Kidney Foundation, Cancer Society or the charity of the donor's choice.