Obituary of Francis Allison Juneau

Francis Allison Juneau was born in a log cabin on his parents’ homestead quarter (SW34 -72-11-W6) west of Hythe, AB, on June 23, 1927, and passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the U of A Hospital in Edmonton, AB, from heart complications, at the age of 96 years.

Francis leaves to mourn his wife of 62 years, Joy (Ellingboe); daughters: Christine (Tim Heimdal) of Grande Prairie, AB, and Yvonne (Luc Beaudor) of St Julien, France; sister Lois Podulsky (Stan) of Sherwood Park, AB; and brother Richard (Carol) of Nanoose Bay, BC; as well as numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Henry and Mae (Allison) Juneau; siblings Solomon, Alfred, David, Beatrice (Kevin Ryan), Lorraine (Lee Hightower), and Josephine (Lyle Penson); son-in-law Rémy Angelvy (Yvonne); in-laws Art and Kozey (Willard) Ellingboe; cousin Jim (Anne) Allison; close friends Elvin Nordhagen and Paul Hoyt; Goldie, his beloved Cocker Spaniel; and numerous relatives and dear friends.

Francis attended West Hythe School, a one-room schoolhouse that was a 3.5-mile walk each way from the farm. He took his last school exam on his 15th birthday in Grade Nine, and after that, he entered the "School of Hard Knocks”! He had many jobs and experiences in this school of life over nearly 97 years.

Francis’ character was a composite of an earthy, hard-working farm boy combined with the qualities of a Renaissance man: well-read, a fine wit, and musical, artistic and scientific. He was deeply spiritual, loyal and generous, always taking time to help his family, neighbours, or strangers he met along the road of life. 

His hands raised and grew food, cut and sawed trees, drilled oil, built roads, fixed machines, drove trucks, delivered supplies by river boat, fought fires, played music, drew cartoons, raised a family and typed stories. He was one of the men who fed and built this nation. 

Thanks to his near photographic memory, which he retained until the day he died, he memorialized the history and characters of his life in his daily online blog, read by hundreds of people both near and far, a second family that brought him great happiness.

With his wife Joy, they raised two daughters, who adored him, on the farm and later in Hythe. In the late 1970s, they built their dream home in the country with logs cut and sawn by Francis. They developed their homestead over the years with multiple gardens, a greenhouse and a private campground. With the support of his extended family, Francis lived there until the day he passed away, happily tending his garden each summer, growing his prize tomatoes and squash and mowing his yard and campground. 

Francis was a wise and witty man, handling life’s challenges with humour, diplomacy and practicality. There were always guests in their home, eating a meal, sampling his homemade wine or a wee dram of Jameson Irish Whiskey and sharing a laugh. At family and community gatherings, he was always popular, entertaining a gaggle of young and old alike with his stories and legendary jokes.

We are shattered by his loss, but grateful for his long life, love and laughter he so generously shared with us. His last words were, “I love all my family.” Until we meet again, dear Francis, rest in peace. 

A Viewing will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at the Alliance Church in Beaverlodge (409 10 St). A Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 pm, with Reverend Dr. Dorcas Kanana Officiating and Chris Clements, Master of Ceremonies. A luncheon will follow in the Alliance Church Fellowship Hall. At 4:30 we will proceed to the Halcourt Cemetery for the Interment.

Donations in Francis’ memory may be made to Joy Juneau to help her and the girls with funeral expenses e-transfers can be sent to indigog@protonmail.com. Alternatively, you can do what Francis did throughout his life: help someone in need according to your abilities and resources: repair a car, buy a meal, offer a ride, share the bounty of your garden, make a phone call, or write a letter to cheer someone up. Strengthen your family and community with generosity and love. Be the light.

A live stream of the funeral service will be available on Francis’ obituary 10 minutes before the service. https://youtube.com/live/3oZvK60pQ90?feature=share