ATTRUX: Armand was born on May 19, 1927 to Henri and Marie Louise (Poncelet) Attrux of Speers, Saskatchewan. He passed away, peacefully on April 1, 2014 at the Hafford Special Care Centre. Armand is lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Irene; his son, Jim (Deanna) and granddaughters, Brittany, Morgan, Jessica and Jamie. He is also fondly remembered by his sisters-in-law: Lea Attrux and Claire (Edward) Deditch; nephews, Michael (Nathalie) Attrux, Mark (Linda) Attrux and their children; Keegan and Jensen; Scott (Leslie) Deditch and children: Colman, Bronwyn, Mason and Callum; Fletcher (Mandy) Deditch and children: Simon and Pierce; Drew Deditch and niece, Kim Deditch; as well as numerous cousins. Armand was predeceased by his parents: Henri & Marie Louise (Poncelet) Attrux; his brother, Edward and in-laws, George and Madeleine (Vurcke) DeRoover. The Vigil of Prayer was held on April 9, 2014, and the Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 10, 2014, both at the Ste. Solange Roman Catholic Church at Hafford, Saskatchewan. Celebrants were Rev. Father Ramel Macapala & Rev. Father Michael Fedoriv. Cross Bearer was Joel Grzybowski and Candle Bearers were Roberta Pobran and Ann Ogenchuk. Participating Ministers were Rev. Nora Borgeson, Rev. Ellen Wood, Very Rev. Father Taras Udod and Pastor Conrad Hunchak. Music ministry was conducted by Henri Paulhus accompanied by Harlene Simmonds. The Eulogy was given by Armand's nephew, Michael Attrux of Ottawa. Liturgy of The Word was given by Carol Attrux and Lea Attrux, while the Prayer of The Faithful was given by Iris Novicki. Altar Server was Breanna Grzybowski and Gift Bearers were Leonard and Joan Raiche. Honourary Pallbearers were "All Who Shared Armand's Life". Active Pallbearers were: Scott Deditch, Gordon Moore, Fletcher Deditch, Jesse Doud, Edward Deditch & Cody Doud. The Rite of Committal was at the Ste. Solange Roman Catholic Cemetery at Hafford, Saskatchewan. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. (306)446-4200 Eulogy ~ by nephew, Michael Attrux Good morning everyone. On behalf of my Aunt Irene, my cousin, Jim, his wife, Deanna and their girls..thank you for coming today to salute a loving and devoted husband and father, an adoring and doting grandfather, and a trusted friend and neighbour. Armand was born on May 19, 1927 to Marie Louise Poncelet and Henri Attrux here in Hafford. He, like many of you, lived through the great depression and learned the true value of family and friends. Along with the daily chores expected of him, he attended Corbett School with his neighbors, the Cunninghams, Miners, Doves and Bradlicks. Not yet a man, and his father ailing, he would leave school half way through grade nine to look after the farm full-time. He never looked back. It was not all work and no play though. Many a Saturday night, he along with his younger brother, Edward would play at local dances as members of the Harmony Aces and the Hafford Playboys. My dad told me that once the fights broke out, they would just play louder. Eventually, it was a quick exit out the back door with the instruments in tow. He would eventually marry a farmer's daughter, Irene DeRoover on July 15, 1965. Together, over the next 48 years they would work the Poncelet/Attrux family homestead and raise a family. In 2004 the farm reached the prestigious and rare milestone of being in the same family for 100 years. Sixty five of those years were under Armand's care. There is a plaque on a cairn at the original site of the Poncelet home honouring this exceptional achievement. Their son Jim has now taken the reins. Jim was born with farming in his blood. He always had to be with his dad on the tractor, so Armand put a board behind the tractor seat for him to sit on, and when he got tired he would sleep under the seat. Armand would sit on a sheet or blanket and drape it around to protect Jim from the sun. Jim grew to be a strong quiet man like his dad. He too would marry a local farm girl, Deanna Moore on July 22, 1995, and had four beautiful daughters, Brittany, Morgan, Jessica and Jamie. These four girls would be their grandfather's greatest joy. Armand's male-dominated farm life however would never be the same. Although the girls loved being pulled behind the quad or garden tractor by their grandfather in a wagon he especially built for his four princesses, they would have him doing things I don't think he ever would have imagined He never once complained when Brittany would call him in from the shop to play school. She would give him math questions to do and spelling exams; she would even give him homework which he apparently always finished. When Morgan was told she couldn't keep anymore bugs in the house, she decided to go to grandpa with a plan for him to build he a bug house. With a blue print in hand and a persuasive 'please grandpa"..a bug house was built. He even kept the blueprints. He and the girls would build bird houses and feeders. In the summer he would hit balls for the girls to catch. He could never say no to the girls when they wanted to put his hair into pony tails and barrettes..and would always have a good laugh over the finished look. Oh and yes, there was fine playhouse fit for four little ladies which he also built and in which he attended many a distinguished tea party. He was the fixer of all. He had a solution for everything. Whenever anything broke, the girls would say "that's ok, grandpa can fix it" and off they would run to deliver it to him. Armand not only had strong commitment to family, he also had an equally keen sense of responsibility to community. Armand volunteered an inordinate amount of his time to a wide variety of community interests. He served on the Speers Wheat Pool committee as secretary; he was the secretary of the Speers-Hafford Kinsman Club; he served on the Remembrance Day Committee; he was a Provincial Rep for the housing authority; he was active in his church as a board member and a volunteer carpenter; he took over the care of the cemetery in 1986; he built and erected the cemetery gates and he not only planted the spruce trees at the cemetery, he also ensured they were watered as well; he was an activist and political canvasser, he never said no when asked to participate in a parade with one of the antique cars he restored nor did he decline an invitation to play his accordion. As a trusted and loyal friend, once his own harvest was finished, his combine was not put away until he had helped his neighbours finish theirs. In March 2013, Armand was awarded the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal for all his volunteering. Armand was also a worldly man, embarking on several trips to Europe to visit cousins and birthplace of his grandparents in France near the French Alps. You knowI am not really sure when he really got any farming in. As a young boy, I made several trips with my dad out to the farm for harvest time, and then as a young teenager I came out during the summer months to work. There was always an acute sense of peace and serenity that permeated the farm and I believe it was due to Armand's approach to life. About two years ago, Armand was still helping out with wood cutting, and when asked if he had any regrets, his reply, true to his nature, was that he did not get a fourth antique car restored, one for each of his granddaughters. In closing it is time to say; For this farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended. You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son, Hang up your shovel inside the barn; your work here on earth is done. A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way, The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day. Your love of God's soil has passed to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine, Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time. You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow. Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for now. Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate. (Close the Gate - by Nancy Kraayenhof) Uncle Armandrest in peace, and may you always find yourself in green pastures. Card of Thanks The family of Armand Attrux wishes to express sincere gratitude for the compassionate support of so many: the caring staff at Battlefords Union Hospital; the excellent care given at the Hafford Special Care Centre, and by the Hafford Home Care Team; the Battlefords Funeral Service for their sensitive guidance with funeral preparations; Delbert Miller for his services; Father Ramel of Ste. Solange Roman Catholic Church; all participating ministers; those who participated in the Vigil Prayer and Funeral Liturgies; the music and song ministry. Grateful thanks are extended to all who joined the family, the Ste. Solange CWL for serving lunches, and to all who called with condolences, cards, food, flowers, Mass offerings, and Memorial Donations. Most of all, we thank God for the gift of Armand's love. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
