This Is Us – the Blais Family 1919 – 2017
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Thisthe Blais family is 1919 –us 2017 In early 2015, I began the task of scanning Mom I decided to dig a little deeper and recorded and Dad’s photo albums. We wanted them a conversation with Grandma. I told her I all digitized so our family could easilyForeword access had some questions to ask and rolled tape. them. As I was opening each book, I was While I got a few great answers out of her, the reminded of so many fantastic memories with information just wasn't enough. Enter Aunt Rita! the Blais family. Then, I found a photo from Through tireless research, and with the help 1982 when we all got together for a reunion. of all the Blais brothers and sisters (especially It was of Grandma Rosalie reading a card in Mary Ann), she built the beautiful history of her front of all her grandchildren with tears in her mother and my grandmother. eyes. This photograph planted the seed. Seeing We also needed to tell Grandpa Emile’s story. her reading This was a difficult task as, sadly, his personal something each narrative couldn’t come directly from him. of us wrote Again, with Rita’s organizational skills and to her and the help of her brothers and sisters, his story the emotional was told. I have to say, I knew very little about response it Grandpa Emile other than the usual lore we evoked meant grandkids have all heard. But now I can look it was time. into his eyes in the photographs on his pages We needed and truly feel like I know my grandfather. What to capture a gift! our family’s collective This project wouldn’t be in your hands without memories the generous support of Peter. Early on in the soon. project, I received a call from him letting me know he wanted to fund the entire printing Aunt Alice budget to ensure every family member inadvertently received a copy. To say I was blown away is a watered the seed when she definite understatement. Thank you so much sent out a perfectly timed email in 2016 asking Peter. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. the family for fun ideas for our upcoming family reunion in July 2017. I chimed in with the idea of I have to personally thank every one of you a family album. It was time! for your dedication to this project. It has been more work than I could possibly have imagined, After an email to everyone in the family and but your organization and the respect you’ve an enthusiastic response across the board, the shown me is greatly appreciated. Every one of project was a go. Please look at the family tree you has sent messages thanking me for all the on pages 4 and 5 to see exactly how many work I’ve done. It sure feels good! people this involved. It’s incredible! And lastly, I need to personally thank Aunt The next step was figuring out how to format Rita for all her help on this project. She worked the book. If it wasn't fun and engaging people meticulously to ensure every detail was perfect. wouldn't want to participate. I came up with Her positive attitude was infectious and she the idea of an informal questionnaire. That way always kept me on track. And thank you to our each family member could write in their own editor, Julie Sengl, who provided the extra set voice. And I wanted to make sure each family of eyes we needed. member sent photographs to capture their lives through their own eyes. And the seed Thank you everyone, and get your Kleenex began to sprout... boxes ready. This one’s gonna be a doozie! Trying to figure out how to get Grandma Rosalie to answer questions without raising suspicions I love you all. was going to be a challenge. Aunt Susie had interviewed her a few years back asking a series of 50 questions, so we had a good start for Daniel (July 7, 2017) some of Grandma’s basic information. During a game of Rummikub over Christmas 2016, We gratefully thank and acknowledge Daniel Blais, whose inspiration was to record the history of his grandparents, AcknowledgementEmile and Rosalie Blais, and their children and families. The beauty and significance of this book is a reflection of the hundreds of hours Daniel spent designing, consolidating and editing all of our stories and photographs. You, Daniel, have made real what the rest of us could only dream of. You have given us a treasure—a gift of the heart, and we are forever and ever grateful. Your grandfather, Emile, must surely be looking down from heaven saying, “This is my grandson: a man of honour and integrity, thoughtfulness and kindness, enthusiasm and fun, exuberance, warm-heartedness, creativity and talent. He is a hardworking man who cherishes family. This is my grandson in whom I am so pleased.” 2 This is us I dedicate this book to Grandma Rosalie: the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother anyone could everDedication ask for. You have no idea how loved you are. The Blais family 1919 – 2017 3 * Emile Rosalie The Blais(pages (pages family 6 – 17) 18 – 49) Alexander Second Dennis (pages child (pages 50 – 55) (page 20) 100 – 107) Emilie Gayleen Son died in Bette Lynn (pages (pages childbirth (pages 58 – 65) 56 – 57) 108 – 111) Sherry Nicolle Angela Christopher Daniel Andrea (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages 66 – 69) 76 – 79) 88 – 91) 112 – 113) 124 – 127) 128 – 131) Craig Challoner Randall Kerry Zulema James (pages (pages (pages 80 – 83) 92 – 93) 114 – 115) Aidan Amy Ginger Max Chae Tawni Julian Morgan Althea Mia (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages 70 – 71) 72 – 73) 74 – 75) 84 – 87) 94 – 95) 96 – 99) 116 – 117) 118 – 119) 120 – 121) 122 – 123) 4 This is us Mary Ann Rita Susan Alice Deanna (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages 132 – 135) 152 – 155) 160 – 163) 174 – 177) 182 – 185) Thomas Peter Neil Larry Garth (pages (pages (pages (pages (pages 136 – 139) 156 – 159) 164 – 167) 178 – 181) 186 – 189) Renée Chelsea Leon Bryn (pages (pages (pages (pages 140 – 143) 168 – 171) 172 – 173) 190 – 193) Thomas Cassie Mason (pages (pages 144 – 147) 194 – 197) Joshua (pages 148 – 151) Legend Married and common-law Divorced Widowed *Current to May 2017 The Blais family 1919 – 2017 5 Only Emile could accurately share his favourite stories and memories. With this in mind, we, his children, humbly offer what we ourselves gratefully witnessed and/or heard. Emile HistoryThe Blais brothers moved to Canada from France in the mid-1600s. They had a family farm for generations bordering on the St. Lawrence River in St-Foy, outside Quebec City. Dad’s earlier Blais years were spent on the farm where times were sometimes very difficult. One winter, all they had to eat was turnips, which explains why Dad would never eat turnips as an adult. In the early spring they tapped maple trees for syrup. In the 1930s, Dad’s father sold the family farm, moved to Quebec City and invested in taxi cabs. They became a family of taxi drivers. The University of Laval now sits on a portion of the family farm land, and the family home is still standing. One of Dad's brothers later purchased a residential lot on the original homestead property. It had become prime real estate by then. He paid a hefty price for the land and built a home there. SignificantEmile was only 9 lifeyears eventold when his mother died in childbirth. He was the eldest in a family of 7 children, although one brother died at the age of 2 and the last baby died at birth along with his mother. We think Emile must have been very relieved when his loving father refused to follow tradition by separating the children and sending them to live with other families. Consequently, it became Emile’s responsibility to care for his siblings and report on the quality of the hired caregivers. When a kind, nurturing woman was found, November 16, 1919 cupid appeared and Emile’s dad married her. Date of birth: Ste-Foy, QC Together they had 8 children bringing the family total to 15. Emile had a deep love and Place of birth: Joseph appreciation for his wonderful stepmother. First name: Theirs was a very busy home, founded on Onésime Emile strong Catholic values and traditions. Middle names: Joe Nickname: January 21, 1971 Date of passing: AndMeeting then Rosalie came must have Rosalie been Emile’s highlight. When stationed in Congress, he asked the parish priest to introduce him to a French Catholic family. With La Mère’s permission, the parish priest brought Emile to the LeTilly farm where he met Rosalie. Three months after their first date they were married. 6 This is us Emile was responsible for bringing Dale Carnegie to Assiniboia and was one of the ImmediateEmile and his brother-in-law family memories Emile LeTilly (Tuffy) instructors. Consequently, his bathroom mirror were kindred spirits. They were both very (and there was only one bathroom for 10 involved with the Knights of Columbus and the people) was often adorned with encouraging Columbian Squires. They spent many evenings words like “think positive,” “keep smiling” and and weekends together planning, organizing “never ever say ‘I can’t.’” and mentoring. When they played and relaxed, rum and Coke was their favourite drink. Emile deeply loved his daughter-in-laws, Amy and Bette Lynn, and was thrilled that his sons FunIn his early facts years, about Emile entertained Emile others and married the best.