Obituary of Laurent Roger St.

ST. LAURENT – Roger passed away on Monday, February 11, 2008 at the Cypress Regional Hospital after a brave battle with cancer. Roger was born in Atholville, New Brunswick. His father worked at the pulp mill and his mother became ill at an early age. As a young boy, Roger helped with her care as well as household chores and cooking for the family. He worked at the mill and remained working down east until he joined the Army and served in Korea. When he returned from Korea, he was stationed in Calgary, where he met Evelyn (nee Christianson) of Pennant, SK, who was the love of his life. He worked as Supervisor at the Calgary Post Office until his retirement. Roger and Evelyn enjoyed many trips to the mountains, Las Vegas, Reno and their wonderful trip east to see Roger’s family, as well as Swift Current and Pennant. They also enjoyed their weekly shopping and dinner outings. They had three special girls – Pixie, Cindy and Sheba – two little poodles and a pointer dog. Roger was a great golfer and also a bowler in his younger years. He enjoyed photography and woodwork. They had a beautiful yard. His little wooden ornaments would be placed throughout the yard. There are many found memories of dancing around their “Mayday” tree, which was a Norwegian tradition. When Evelyn became ill, Roger was a devoted care giver to her, even when he began having health problems of his own. Every week he would get her carnations, which made her so happy. Upon Evelyn’s passing, Roger moved to Swift Current to be near his niece, Judy Toporoski, as well as other nieces and nephews. He made regular visits to Evelyn’s grave with flowers at the Pennant Cemetery. After moving to his new home in Swift Current, Roger became self-taught on the computer and enjoyed many hours of researching into different things. He loved to print pictures for all of us in the family. He became very close with his neighbors, Ron and Heather. Ron and Roger spent many hours visiting and talking about Roger’s time in Korea and Ron’s years in the RCMP. He had two little loves here – Sheba and Riley, his two little puppies who adored their Uncle Roger. Tuesdays were Toonie Tuesday for Sheba and he always made sure she got an extra biscuit. Roger loved to learn. He was of quiet nature, but had a good sense of humor as well. He was a modest man who did not talk much about his accomplishments, but just to mention one is that he devised a new and current Postal Code system in Calgary. Brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend – we will miss you dearly. We know that you are happy now with your loved ones. Roger is survived by his brother, Robert (Joan) St. Laurent; sister, Jacqueline McGraw and several nieces and nephews in the St. Laurent family: Keith & Jane, Geraldine, Sharon, Gillian, Roger, Deborah, Robyn, Linda, Joyce, Rachael and Albert Jr; and in the Toporoski family, Judy; and in the Christianson family: Arthur, Norman, Gregory and Donna; special friends, Ron and Heather Steele, Lee Broadhurst, John Thacker and families. He is predeceased by his parents Pierre and Angelique; brothers, Jean-Yves and Jean-Marie, and brother-in-law, Albert McGraw, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Phil and Clara Toporoski and Erling and Grace Christianson; one nephew Larry and one great-nephew, and special friends Muriel, Cal and Sophie. A graveside service was held Monday, February 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery with Reverend Maxine Pirie officiating. A eulogy was read by Ron Steele. The pallbearers were: Gregory Christianson, Keith St. Laurent, Larry Strohan, Curtis Strohan, Ron Steele, Nicole Strohan and Stacey Christianson. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home, Swift Current, Saskatchewan.