DESJARDINS – John Felix Desjardins, 87, passed away peacefully on October 20th, 2022, in Brooks Alberta. Preceded in death by son Roger (1959 – 2019) parents Alexander and Delphine, in laws John and Mary Lee, his brothers Edouard and Lawrence, sister Joanne, sister-in-law Madeline, brothers-in-law Wayne and Elair, Lorin and granddaughter May Lee. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Donna, Roger’s wife Cynthia and their children Courtney (Chris), Sheldon (Lykke), Brendon (Stacey), their son Richard (Lori) and their children Daniel (Melissa), Justin (Hilary), Nathan (Rebecca), Andrew (Trish), Dillon (Haleigh), their daughter Angela-Jean (Greg), children Christa (Chanley), Shanna (Sean), Katie (Duke), their daughter Melody-Anne and her son Mathew (Hailey), and youngest son Eugene (Bojana) and their children Tia, Nadia, and Roman. John is blessed with 29 great-grandchildren, (Roger) Everleigh, Madelynne, Harrison, Zayden, Ashton, Sommer. (Richard) Ally, Paytyn, Paizlee, Brynleigh, Brielle, Hayden, Kaiya, Luke, Shane, Violet, Damion, Owen, Finley, Roscoe. (Angela-Jean) Tealyn, Kayden, Rollyn, Connor, Ryder, Maxx, Penny. (Melody-Anne) Daniel, and Denise. Also survived by his sisters Rena (Jim), Lorraine (Dennis), Noella, Lys Marie (David), brothers Rene (Bessie), Paul (Linda), Alex, Marcel (Deanna), sisters-in-law Phyllis (Evan), Rosalie, Cecelia, brother-in-law Rodney (Mary), Clifford and numerous nieces and nephews. John shone a light on the world and all were blessed who knew him. He was a kind man with a go-get-them attitude. He was patient and loving, the kind of man Jesus is happy to receive into the kingdom of Heaven. Little John was born in St. Amelie Manitoba on September 12th, 1935. At age 8 he was too small to walk to and from school, at not quite 40 pounds, so he had to move into the convent fulltime to attend school. He showed great academic success when he completed grade 2 and 3 within the same year. At age 11, he moved to Michelle, BC, and finished his high school in Fort Macleod. During this time, he was a reserved member of the Canadian army as a gunner for the 93rd battery. After graduation in 1956 he moved to the Buck Lake area to pursue work in the oil patch, where he met Donna. When he advised her, he was going to marry her, she laughed. They were married on June 28, 1958. They moved to Alder Flats where they owned and operated their farm while John worked on the oil rigs. They had three children Roger, Richard, Angela-Jean and moved to Drayton Valley in 1963. Melody-Anne joined the family in 1966. In 1969, John started a new job and the family relocated to the Tilley area. This is where they set up roots adding Eugene to the family. At age 30 John began playing music and joined multiple bands (Country Roads (‘74) and Music Makers till 92, Soft tones (‘97)). Due to medical reasons in 1997, John took a break from playing in the bands. John was a family man and very involved in the community. He spent many hours volunteering in scouting, coaching his children in softball, badminton and canoeing. He was a volunteer with the Summer Games, played an integral part in the T & R Fish and Game and was chairman of the EID Trappers association. He was a member of many organizations and was always willing to volunteer where needed. He was a founding member of the Tilley & District library board. John was involved with St. Jude’s Catholic church and later with St. Mary’s church. He played and sang in the choir for years. He was on the RCIA “team”, a member of parish council, a financial committee chairman, deanery rep, also on the diocesan pastoral council and a third- and fourth-degree member in the Knights of Columbus. When he retired from the oil field (’90), he challenged and passed the test for heavy duty mechanics qualification. During the summer they farmed outside of Tilley until 2012 and in the winter, John and Donna travelled to Arizona where he continued to play music and shared their love for dancing. John and Donna are known for their love of travel as they have seen the world. Grandpa John, you will forever be remembered in our hearts as we carry your love with us through generations.
John’s service will be at the St. Mary’s church, Brooks AB on November 12, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.
For further information, to light a memorial candle or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
