Beaupre carries on volunteering legacy

by Lucie Roy

When you hear laughter accompanied by the words, “Oh boy. Oh boy. I’m a funny guy, me, “or “Oh boy. Ya,” you are in the company of Lucien Beaupre.

Lucien Maxime Joseph Beaupre was born in October of 1944 in Edmonton to Ephrem Gustave Beaupre and Marie-Anne Boisvert of Morinville. Lucien, the oldest of three children. Sister Germaine Marie Cloutier lives in B.C. and Cecile Juliette Marie Bourgeois of Morinville passed away in December of 2002 at the age of 49.

Beaupre said he went up to Grade 3 at Cunningham School and still has the Cunningham 1955-1970 School Reunion book with a listing of all the students and their personal history. He is listed as a custodian whose interests and hobbies are playing darts, and who has travelled to Alaska, California, Mexico, Texas and Maritimes.

web-DSCN7555He still has the itinerary and papers from the trips he has taken as well as binders full of photos from his voyages.

Beaupre said he left school as he preferred to work on his parent’s farm situated four miles out of town. In 1965, at the age of 65, Ephrem sold the farm, and the family moved into Morinville. His father, a resourceful man, accustomed to hard work, could not stay put. He was offered a part-time caretaking job at the Morinville Recreational Centre and worked there for 16 years. The pay was minimal, but the job had to be done. His wife and son Lucien began assisting him with the job which very rapidly became full time as the number of meetings, dances, and weddings at the centre increased. The family ended up working there seven days a week. The Beaupres were always there, always in good humour and never complained. Lucien and his father looked after all the caretaking, and Mrs. Beaupre took care of organizing the work as bookings came in through Anne Kryskow. She also acted as translator throughout the years, being the only one of the three who spoke English

In 1979, when Lucien’s father was 80 years old, Lucien and his parents were honoured with the Morinville Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award.

In 1980 his parents were presented with an achievement award by Reverand Fernand Croteau and Parish Council Chairman Roger Vansevenandt in recognition of 16 years of janitorial service performed at the Morinville Recreation Centre.

That year his father took his “real” retirement and left more and more of the janitorial work as Lucien’s responsibility.

web-DSCN7489

Lucien’s mother passed away in 1984, his father in May of 1988 at the age of 88. Lucien remained working at the centre for another 13 years after his father passed away. He was employed by the Town of Morinville from November 2002 until Jan. 6, 2012.

Lucien involvement with the Morinville Royal Canadian Legion has been active. He was an Honorary Member for 18 years from 1980 until 1998 when he became a member of the Branch. He has received numerous Certificates of Appreciation, the Royal Canadian Legion 75th Anniversary Commemorative Medal in 2000, the Norman Dent Memorial Plaque in 1991, and a Certificate of Merit in 2016.

In 2010 he was the first recipient of the newly instated Legionnaire of the Year Award from the Morinville Legion.

Lucien joined the Morinville Lions Club in April of 2003 and is an active member with his position as Tail Twister, a pep master role that involves keeping up the enthusiasm and good fellowship at the meetings. As a Lion, he is also involved with fundraising, meat draws and several other activities that have seen him presented with numerous Certificates of Appreciation for his dedication, volunteerism, and for going above and beyond.

Lucien received a Certificate from the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Battle Group for his efforts in helping them achieve their training objectives during the Bosnia pre-deployment exercise Palladium Response from November 18 to 24, 1999.

Beaupre enjoys his coffee and walks to the many restaurants in town for his daily meals.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

6 Comments

    • I agree wholeheartedly, he always offered me a Hearty Hello when I’d pass him daily walking to work. He loves bed to tease also when I served him for years at Sobeys
      ( IGA ) . Special Souls like him our such a Gift to a Community & should always be celebrated as such!

  1. Thanks for sharing Maurice St.Denis. This made my night. Lucien IS Morinville.

  2. Birgit Reinprecht I remember him when you worked and friends & neighbors.

Comments are closed.