A dynamic and blazing spirit who was afforded many passions in this life died Saturday, October 17 after a lengthy illness. Determination, grit and the ability to live in the moment served him well and he was an indomitable inspiration to those around him. Born in Grenville, Quebec to French Protestant parents, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was the first among his siblings to be educated in an English school and being ever the adventurer he lied about his age during wartime and enlisted in the Navy. He became an ASDIC and RADAR operator on the HMCS Battleford in World War II and was very proud of his wartime service. Many careers followed, among them a computer technician for IBM in Montreal, a real estate agent in Montreal, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia and the owner of Country Pine Gift Shop in Shelburne, NS. He was best known for his artistry whether it was furniture making, landscaping or his world class status as a bird carver where he won several awards internationally. He was his true self in nature and felt more comfortable with animals than with people. There was no question he was a loved man and he is survived by his wife of 29 years, Joanne and his children Lynn Collito, Cape Cod; Vaughn Renaud, Cape Cod; Frank (Suzanne) Renaud, Shelburne and Ian (Holly) Renaud, Shelburne; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and members of the Purchase family. He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his 16th great grandchild. A memorial service was held Monday, November 2 at the Mahone Bay Legion on Pond Street, Mahone Bay. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #49, Mahone Bay NS BOJ 2E0.
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I.
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost
Special thanks go out to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #49; “The Ladies of Lincoln Street, Lunenburg”; Helen Whitehouse; Lloyd Westhaver; Matthew Naugler NP; Dr. Jeff Ratushny; Dr. Mada Nestel; Dr. David Abriel; South Shore Health Palliative Care Services; VON and Heart-to-Heart. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca