Obituaries

William "Bill" McAteer Ducasse
June 10th, 1936 ~ June 20th , 2007

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" McAteer Ducasse, after a lengthy illness, with his family by his side on June 20th, 2007. Bill was the oldest of four boys, born in Rainy River to Bill Sr. and Mary Ducasse. Bill attended the North Bay Normal School and obtained his teaching degree. He then moved to Dryden in 1958 to teach. Bill’s teaching career was spent at Riverview School, Pinewood School and he was the Principal at Sprucedale School, finishing his career as Principal of Pinewood School. Bill belonged to the Tree-Toppers Model Airplane Club, the Kinsmen, and the K40 Club of Dryden. He enjoyed fishing and traveling with his wife, especially to Arizona in the winter. Bill has left to mourn, his beloved wife of 45 years, Connie, his daughter Michelle Gauthier and her husband Albert and his grandchildren Jonathon and Samantha Gauthier of Salem Oregon. Bill will also be sadly missed by his brothers Marshal, Frank, David and their families, all his nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, extended family and friends. Sadly Bill was predeceased by his daughter Shelly Ann on June 28, 1988. In keeping with Bill’s wishes a private family service will be held. If friends so desire donations may be made to the DHRC CT Scan Fund or to the DRHC Oncology Unit through the Stevens Funeral Homes "Moffat Chapel" P.O. Box 412 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be emailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca subject line: Ducasse

Ruth passed away peacefully in the Cowichan District Hospital on June 7, 2007. She was born on Sept. 13, 1915 in Bergland, Rainy River District, Ontario, where her parents were among the first settlers. She has lived for the past eight years in Duncan Manor, after moving from Vancouver. Predeceased by her parents and three brothers, she is survived by her sister, Anne (John) Mair in New York State, sister-in- law, Lynn Hendrickson, in Rainy River, nephew, John Hendrickson, in Fort Frances and numerous other relatives.

Eunice Irene Rusnak (nee Van Tassel), born February 15, 1933 in Worthington Township, Ont, passed away at the age of 74 on Saturday June 2, 2007 at the Rainy River Health Care Centre, Rainy River, Ont.

Peacefully on Monday May 28, 2007 at the Rainy River Hospital, Rainy River, Ont; Anna La Rocque (nee Saurer) of Stratton, Ont passed away at the age of 82.
Anna will be lovingly remembered by her six children, Alana (Wolf) Rechlin of Atikokan, Ont; Allan John Jr. of Stratton, Ont; Margaret (Tim) Scott of Devlin, Ont; Eldon (Mary) of Dryden, Ont; David of Stratton, Ont and Glenda (Al) Radbourne of Manning, Alb. Seven granddaughters and nine great grandchildren.

Our family is very sad to announce the loss of Hugh Alan McCulloch, who passed away suddenly on Saturday May 12, 2007.  Hugh was pre-deceased by his mother Adrienne (August 1997) and survived by his father Donald (Nell) McCulloch, brother John (Eline) McCulloch, sister

"Jane" Marie Jeanne Amanda passed away peacefully on Friday, May 18th, 2007 in her 91st year at the Thunder Bay Interim Long Term Care Home.
Jane was born in Vassar, Manitoba on November 9, 1915. She was united in marriage to "Bud" Oscar Burnell on November 3, 1937 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

Janet Ellen Ronning 57 of Fort Frances and formerly of Rainy River passed away in Fort Frances on Tuesday, December 12, 2006.
A celebration of Janet’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 1 p.m. at Knox United Church in Rainy River.

Marcie Ellen Stigen, age 57, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the Rainy River Hospital in Rainy River, Ontario.
Marcie was born on October 1, 1949 to Jack and Elvina Drennan. She was raised in the Rainy River area living on Wilson Creek most of her life. As a young woman she worked at Hanson’s Camp. She was married to Roy Stigen in 1967 and together they raised their four children Shirley, Sheila, Roy and Stephanie. Marcie started a new chapter in her life with Vernon Brown in the late 1980’s and together they had two children Tyler and Stacy. In 2000, at the age of 51, Marcie graduated from High School. Her family was very proud of her accomplishment. She loved the outdoors; fishing, gardening, watching the wildlife and going on her annual moose hunt. Marcie enjoyed visiting with her family and friends, the coffee was always on and the door always open. She was very proud of her large teapot collection and could tell you which one came from where or whom. One of Marcie’s favourite pastimes was going to the "mall". She found many treasures that were lovingly restored.

James Arthur Tooth (Art) passed away peacefully in St. Boniface Hospital on Sunday, April 22, in the presence of his family.
Art was born on May 16, 1924 in Oakville, Manitoba to John and Sarah Tooth. At the age of 19 he joined the RCAF and served in England, India, Ceylon, and Burma. Art received his degree in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1950.

Born February 27th, 1932 in Millidge Ontario, Shirley spent her childhood years in Richan and Dryden, Ont. After a short courtship with the man who swept her off her feet, Arnold Gill, she subsequently moved to Barwick, Ont, the town that became her home.