Obituary of Albert Joseph Gareau

Albert Joseph Gareau of Cranbrook, BC passed away on December, 26, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. He was born to Antoine and Julie-Anne Gareau on March 26, 1948 in Prince Albert SK.

Albert came to British Columbia in the mid 1970s and worked predominantly in the coal mining industry for the following 30 years. He raised his family in Elko and later in Cranbrook before retiring in 2007. He spent many hours telling his children that the Montreal Canadiens were the best hockey team and that the whole league was fixed. Luckily his Saskatchewan Roughriders managed to win a few games from time to time. 

Over the years he welcomed five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren into his life. He loved to work around in his yard and enjoyed playing his guitar and singing to anyone who would listen. If you knew Albert, he was a talker and could pretty much get to know people wherever he went. While he wasn’t much of a traveler, he loved experiencing different parts of Canada and USA. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Celine (on their first date, they saw Gone with the Wind and he remarked that the only thing that went with the wind was his $4); children; Julie-Anne (Todd), Nicole, Rejean (Matt), and Gerard; grandchildren, Krista (Jake), Brooklynn (Jay), Rejean, Stephane and Andy; great-grandchildren, Connor, James, Parker and Scottie; siblings, Rita, Suzanne (Raul), Roger (Louisa), Ronald, Hubert (Denise), Marina (Albert) and Alain (Barbara) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Francois, his parents, Antoine and Julie-Anne, brother Francois and sisters Marie, Rolande, Simone and Yvette. I know… how many kids were in that family??

Albert was a positive, well-loved man and his passing will leave a hole in the hearts of many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angel Flight East Kootenay. Albert was incredibly impressed with their compassion, skill and professionalism.

https://angelflightek.ca/

Address: PO Box 1616 Fernie B.C V0B 1M0.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on January 3, 2024 at Christ the Servant Parish in Cranbrook, British Columbia.