Wilfrid Joseph LaBelle was born Tuesday, April 24, 1917, one of twelve children and the youngest of the four sons born to Xavier LaBelle and Valentine Guay. At the time of his birth, the family lived on a homestead in the Round Up District, twelve miles south of Ceylon.

He started school at Round Up in 1924. His mother, who had taught school in Quebec, had taught him the alphabet and the addition and multiplication tables that were on the back cover of exercise books in those days.

So, he spent only two weeks in Grade One before being promoted to Grade Two. His hair had never been cut and was curled in ringlets around the back of his head. The very first day of school, he was teased and called "girly" - his hair was pulled by some of the boys. That night he told his mother that unless she cut his hair short like the other boys he would not go back to school. So she got her scissors and wept as she cut off his lovely curls.

In 1925, the family moved south of Radville. With a population of 1250 then, it had the advantage of better schools for the children. In 1932, after graduating from St. Olivier School, Wilfrid went to Matthew College at Gravel-bourg, which, at that time was a branch of the University of Ottawa. He studied there until 1936 when finances ran out and he had to quit school and go to work. Having an aptitude for music, Wilfrid helped entertain with such musicians as Oscar LaBelle, Evert Nelson, Eddie Dahlin, and others. He later formed an orchestra with four others: Bill Piff, Gerald Evans, Jim Reid and Willie Stadnick. The band played in surrounding towns and school dances until they disbanded when three of the players left Radville.

Wilfrid married Juliette Paulhus, on January 2, 1943. They had four children: Amelia in 1944, Laurent in 46, Eugene in 48, and Beatrice in 1956. Eugene passed away in 1971.

Soon after their marriage, Wilfrid joined the Canadian Army Active. He was in the armed forces for only one year because of a back injury incurred while in training. During his service days he was stationed at Regina for basic training, at St. Jerome, Quebec for pre O.T.C., and then Brockville, Ontario for the Officer's Training Course. The last is where he was injured in a fall while cliff scaling. He was transferred back to Regina for his discharge.

In the mid '40's he went harvesting in the USA from the southern state of Oklahoma, following the harvest up to North Dakota, then coming home to harvest their own crops. He worked in Manitoba for farmers, also in Regina as a mechanic and later as a parts man for IHC truck department. During the winter of 1946-47 Wilfrid worked in Vancouver, BC for Victoria Mills, then in the bush on Vancouver Island for McMillian Blodel, Stuart and Walsh.

He then worked for MacRobert Motors in Radville as a mechanic and a body man while farming the farmland from 1948 to 1962. Then it was solely farming until he rented the land out in 1978 and finally selling it in 1980.

In 1994, at the age of 77 years, winter in the country lost some of its appeal. Wilfrid and Juliette moved to town and settled into retirement. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past January.

In their later years, Wilfrid and Juliette traveled extensively. Although major trips were to Europe, Hawaii and Alaska, they traveled throughout Canada and the USA from east to west and north to south. Wilfrid enjoyed driving and meeting new people wherever they went.

Wilfrid was involved with the Saskatchewan Farmers Union, becoming a director for five years. He helped organize the Radville Elks Lodge #483 - proceeding through the chairs, and finally becoming the Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the district. He was a founding member and later, president and chairman of Radville's Recreation Board. He also represented the R.M. of Laurier #38 on the S.E. Regional Library board for seven years. He was president of the Radville Seniors' Club for nearly seven years.

In his final years, Wilfrid enjoyed puttering around the yard and fixing things. He tried to help Juliette with the housework, doing more for her as her arthritis worsened. He read extensively and was up to date on current affairs. He liked to go to the seniors club for visiting or a game of cards. He enjoyed the company of family and friends.

Once diagnosed with lung cancer, he reflected that he'd had a good, long life; had done most everything he had wanted and philosophically said that he was about to begin his last mile.

As told in the eulogy by his grandson, Will Gilmore:

A person did not need to spend a long time with Grandpa to learn how much he valued family. His dabbling in genealogy are absolutely amazing. I should not even call them dabbling because they are so extensive. He's traced his decendents back to the 1600's. His research into the LaBelle name will be a main part in the coming history book.

By no means are his values on paper only. I need only mention two words. "New Years." I must admit that I only remember a little of the New Year's celebrations, as I only caught the tail end of them. It didn't matter if we were at Grandpa's or at Genest's, these gatherings were waaaaay gibber than Christmas. Everyone came to those and everyone was included in them. I got to witness the card playing antics of Grandpa and his brothers and sisters because they let a five year old kid play with them at the table. Grandpa loved to host family events.

How many reunions were at the farm? Countless. There would have been nicer weather had they retired to BC. However, their family and their friends were around here. Grandpa did not want to retire away from them.

How many times has a grandchild crashed the house in town because we needed a place to stay? And not just us, friends of grandchildren too. I would not be lying if said that everyone in our classes knew where to go when we said, "Drop us off at Grandpa and Grandma's." It was an open door policy all the time. Only once in all my life have I witnessed the door accidentally locked. Of course the back door was open, but he was a good enough man to accept the teasing he got from us after.

I remember Grandpa's sense of humor well. He enjoyed giving someone a little bit of a hard time and in turn appreciated when someone else teased him. It's a common routine that I would go to the house and ring the doorbell. He'd know it was me because apparently I'm the only one who uses the thing. We'd exchange hellos and he'd ask when I was cutting my hair so people wouldn't confuse me for a girl. Maybe he didn't want the students in Regina to tease me like he was teased about his childhood locks, or maybe he was getting revenge.

There are many times I can recall when he was in his chair and I was on the couch and we would strike up a conversation about who the most influential person on TV was. At the time, I was pushing for Don Cherry. Cherry and myself both tend to be straight forward and perhaps even a touch sarcastic when it comes to humor. Grandpa was much more subtle in his sense of humor. Through his subtle ways he would always manage to make me laugh while pointing out that my answer was quite obviously a ridiculous one. Now, I'm sure a lot of you agree with Grandpa on this, even I do now. But wait...there is a more ridiculous answer out there and Grandpa managed to argue it. Mike Duffy.

That's right. We actually had the conversation of whether Don Cherry or Mike Duffy was more influential. More than once. I think it was a tie and we both lose this argument. What I'll remember throughout my life is how much he loved Grandma. He put her first all the time, every time. Like most everyone here, I was not at their wedding. I was not there when they had their children. I was not there at their 25th anniversary. In fact, I wouldn't happen on the scene for another 14 years. In my lifetime, I became impressed at the little things that still happened. Once Grandpa was retired he made breakfast for them. This is after 40 years, 50 years and then 61 years of marriage. No offence to dad or any other men here, but he's the only guy I've ever seen consistently help with dishes. Now, obviously making toast and doing dishes does not measure love, but the way that they were done make up the little things that equal the big picture. Grandpa didn't do them out of obligation or to simply be a good husband, he did them because he wanted to do them to help Grandma. He put her first, before himself. To be honest I didn't think of the little things in this way until this year, when I realized the big picture.

Once Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer, his worry was not on doing things that he had always wanted to do. His focus was still on Grandma, on what she would do after he was gone. Just like with the dishes, it wasn't because it was his duty to do so. His genuine concern lay with ensuring Grandma will always be happy. So why am I not more sad? Grandpa has an amazing life story that could captivate any audience. If you're into music, he has a story about music. If you're in school, he has a story about school. If you're into partying, he has a story about partying. He's one of the most interesting people I've had the privilege to talk to. Is it sad that this is now gone? Yes. It is. It is going to take some time to get used to him not being in his favorite chair when I come to visit. I'm going to miss the crib games we had, especially since he skunked me the last time we played. In general, I'm simply going to miss spending time with him. However, I have had the privilege to know him for 22 years. I consider myself very lucky to have had so many years with him. I have heard his stories first hand. I have been part of his welcoming nature towards family and friends. I have experienced his sense of humor. I have personally witnessed his love for Grandma and others. In other words, I have had the privilege to learn from him. I have had the privilege to laugh with him. And I have had the privilege to live with him. This is how Grandpa would have wanted it. He would not want people to shed a lot of tears for him. Rather, he would have wanted us to be happy with the memories that we'll keep forever. And this is why I chose to end with a poem I read at the historic park I work at in the summers.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning rush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds circled in flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die.

Wilfrid J. LaBelle - son of the late Francois Xavier LaBelle and Valentine Guay passed away on April 4, 2004 at the age of 86 years. Predeceased by a son, Eugene (1971); an infant sister, Beatrice (1899); sisters: Lucie Eidsness, Doris Mowrey, Gilberte Howse, Olive Dionne, Lucille Charbonneau, Mayo Van-deVelde, and Cleo LaBelle; brothers: Auguste, Oscar and Genest. Wilfrid is survived by his wife of 61 years, Juliette; one son, Lawrence (Peggy); two daughters: Amelia Brown and Beatrice Gilmore (Gene); eight grandchildren: Natalie LaBelle, Nathan Brown and Nina Brown-Robertson (Wil); Kristen, Aaron, and Carmen LaBelle; William and Danielle Gilmore; five great grandchildren: Devin and Jenna VandeSype, Dakota Summers and Brittany LaBelle; and Cole Robertson; as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Prayers were said on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 8:00 P.M. from the Holy Family Parish. Funeral Mass was held on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. from the Holy Family Parish, Radville, SK with Father Prince - Celebrant. Interment followed in the Laurier Cemetery, entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn, SK.