Obituary of Rejean Joseph Charette

Surrounded by his loving family, Rejean Joseph Charette (Gene) passed away peacefully after a short but courageous fight with cancer on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at the Dawson Creek and District Hospital. Gene was born in the little town of Preissac, Quebec on November 11, 1946. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Jean and Germaine Charette. His early years were spent moving from one small town to another in Quebec and Ontario where his dad worked in sawmills. In 1964 his family ventured west to Prince George, B.C. Eventually Gene found a job as a loader operator at a sawmill in Mackenzie. In June 1969 Gene met Diane Violet and they married a year later. Their daughter, Nicole, was born the next year followed by their son Gaetan a year later. They lived in Mackenzie until 1974 at which time they moved to Prince George and then to 70 Mile House. In April of 1975 they moved to Pouce Coupe to help Diane's parents open up their land at Riley's Crossing. Gene worked for Slumberger and Aero Paving and then in1979 he went to work for Trimac Transportation fulfilling his dream of becoming a truck driver. In 2009 Gene retired after thirty years with the company. He returned to driving for Richard Dufour one winter to help out when a fellow driver was ill. In 1996 Gene and Diane moved to "the farm” to help out Diane's mom after her father passed away. Together they worked hard cleaning, landscaping and building until they had everything the way they wanted. Their favorite spot was down by the river, where they built a gazebo with a fire pit, horseshoe pits, wood shed and a unique outhouse. Many a pleasant hour was spent there with family and friends. Gene was a hard worker - making sure he did his best at all times. He was a perfectionist and wanted everything in its place. He was outgoing, friendly and always ready to help out never expecting anything in return. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, quadding, sledding and camping but his favourite pass time was cutting wood. He spent many hours on his property cutting fallen trees into wood for the fire pit. Gene was cremated and a celebration of life service was held on July 19, 2012 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Peggy Bergeron officiated and Joe Hawkins shared Gene’s eulogy. Gene was predeceased by his parents, Jean (Jackie)and Germaine (Bill). sisters: Gemma and Salonge brothers: Julian, Pat, Lucien He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Diane, daughter Nicole (Elliot), son Gaetan (Miranda) and granddaughters, Kennedy, Kassidy and Reese: sisters Lise and Moneca; brothers Claude, Alde and Serge.