Rene LeGrand 1938 - 2020

Posted on November 3, 2020 by dom

Rene LeGrand
1938 – 2020
In Loving Memory of a beloved husband, father and friend
Rene LeGrand
December 11, 1938 ~ November 2, 2020
Rene passed away with family by his side at the Meadow Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat at 5:32 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2020, at the age of 81 years. He was born on the family farm outside of Qu’Appelle, SK.; His Birth Certificate lists a land location!
Rene first left home at the age of 15, and worked at various jobs to support himself. In his early years, he worked construction, running heavy equipment, etc. He married Gail (Myers) in Regina, SK., in November of 1961. Together they moved to Moose Jaw, SK., in February of 1962, where Rene drove a fuel delivery truck for BA (Husky) serving rural communities in the Moose Jaw area. He then moved on to long haul semi driving.
In the fall of 1963, Rene moved his family to Qu’Appelle where he began farming. He built a shop doing mechanical repairs and moved on to take up welding as a trade. Rene established a great reputation for quality repairs and also did some manufacturing from his shop – tractor cabs, rock pickers, land packers, etc. His greatest pride in manufacturing was a “to scale” replica of a Colt 45 hand gun for the Qu’Appelle Hand Gun Club sign, where he was a member. His first industrial welding opportunity took him to the Arctic where he spent two winters working on oil rigs. He joined UA Local 179 in 1977 and soared from there, working all over Saskatchewan (mostly Estevan, Coronach, Lloydminster and Prince Albert) as well as various places in Alberta. Eventually, Rene became a tester to qualify new journeymen welders. While on the farm, Rene took it upon himself to build a house, mastering most skills required including masonry, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. He also dabbled in photography and did some commercial work for weddings, graduations, etc. And, after many years of boating, Rene became certified to test new boaters for their nautical licenses.
His passions were farming, welding, hunting, target shooting (member of Alberta Cowboy Action Shooting), fishing, photography and travelling any time he had a chance! He sold the farm in Qu’Appelle in 2000 and moved to Lamont AB., working on the construction of the Scotford Refinery outside of Fort Saskatchewan, AB. Following his retirement in 2006, Rene and Gail moved to Medicine Hat where Rene was still able to keep up a bit of welding, target shooting and some hunting.
Rene is survived by is wife Gail; daughter, Jody (Robert) and sons, Todd (Lissa), Mark (Kim); grandchildren, Nahman, Tyrrell, Tyler, Dakota, Leah and Kayla; great-grandchildren, Kadence, Pashence, Annikan as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Rene was the lone surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederic and Marie Louise; sisters, Terry (Steve) and Lucy (John); brothers, Albert (Agnes) and Ernest (Maureen).
The family would like to give a special thanks to the care aides and LPN’s at Meadow Ridge. Due to Covid 19, a family service will be held at a future date.
Memorial donations in Rene’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, 201, 770 – 6 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4J6.

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