Tony Beasse

Obituary

Passed on

As a family we are saddened to announce the passing of Antoine Beasse on December 1st, 2017. He leaves behind his daughter Holly, son in law Jim and his grand daughter Kaliesa.   To most he was known as “Tony”, to some he has become infamous as “The Tony” in the antics of spending time with his daughter.   He was a busy man, liked to keep a foot going in one direction and lived by the adage “work while the sun is shining”.   His garage was his anchor, home base, mess, and space and damn don’t you take something and not put it back.  He knew where the smallest bolt was so you did him no favors by placing it elsewhere.  This was his kingdom.  He took great joy in the ability to fix anything that had an engine and became obsessed when it didn’t work and defied it to defeat him.   He became a welder by trade and it took him to several jobs in Canada and eventually led him to Bristol Aerospace in Stony Mountain.  A job he enjoyed where he wore many hats. We used to giggle because the supper table talk went from Black Brant rockets to the odd occasional shift where it was obvious he was in charge of skunk removal.   It was at Bristol where he worked as well retired and made some of his lifelong friendships.  Bristol had one heck of a great crew back then.  Employees loyally herded their families out to Lake St George and the caravan raced to get there.   Many a fishing story was born and lives on to this day. Oh the joy at catching big freight trains and landing them.  His favorite was the goal of pickerel in the pan.  Those were the days!   Tony and Laura met, married and had Holly in Calgary.  They then moved to Winnipeg before settling in Balmoral. They both were always to be found at the Rec centre having coffee with their friends.  Tony ended up moving to Stony Mountain after Laura was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  He loyally went and visited and did what he could for her until her passing.  Tony comes from Ste Rose Du Lac, and leaves many cousins and friends behind.  For Tony there is a love of music that runs through his veins.  He doesn’t just hear it he feels it.  He has played guitar for enjoyment, employment and amusement.  He’s made friendships that really have lasted his lifetime. Country and Western, Bluegrass, Gospel or a Metis jig, if it had a beat to follow he was playing it.   Saturday ritual in our house, change the strings, polish the Gretsch, shower, watch Bugs Bunny then load up and out the door. Going gigging.  He played until recently with his friends until he just couldn’t anymore.  Not many 49 year olds can call home and their Dad is out.  “I had a gig”.  Good on you.    All this time he still managed to be a Dad, one hell of a Dad.  What a reliable man he was, one call to Dad was often the fix.  He has fixed bikes, roller skates, boo boos, tires, cars, empty wallets and hearts.  He mentioned checking the oil in the car and the price of gas because one had to know these things.   He took us fishing, camping, skating, swimming, movies.  Truck stops for coffee and eats.    Tony had a great bond with Jim, his son in law over their love of fishing and music.  He was so proud to hand his guitar over to Jim but never quite understood his son in laws music choices.   Tony left Jim knowing that they loved each other to pieces and thankful for their years of not just being family but friends. One of his proudest moments was holding his new little grand daughter.  Kaliesa is his little gem.  He’s been so proud of her love for education and drive to “get schooling”.  He wants her to be the smartest smarty pants on the block.  He proudly showed her off at Christmas parties even giving away his coveted title of Santa; it was his turn to be Grampa!  Grampa and Grandma  had been lassoed by “The Prettiest Girl on the Prairie”.  He sees the Laura in her.  You could see the love in his eyes as she cared for him in the last few months, you could see he wanted more time to see her spread her wings. We were lucky to have him. This past year had been succession of battles that his body could not fight. Friends were behind him offering whatever they could whenever it was needed.  Wes was always there.   Darien was such a support, if only we can all have such a beautiful person in our corner.  She now has an angel watching over her, doing his best from afar to be there in kind. Keith and Jennie, a man can’t ask for much more in a friend than you both.  You have been a support, a shoulder to lean on, a confidante and partner in crime.  You have our admiration, respect and love. The Legion and Chicken Chef were two of his home away from homes. Thank you to all that have been asking about how he was doing. We want to thank everyone who took the time to support him in this last year, to all the faces that came and met us at the hospital we thank you sincerely.  His stories were endless and he sure enjoyed his time with many of you.  Thank you all for checking in on each other. Dad wished to be buried with his parents in Ste Rose.  We want to wait until the spring to have a service there as we say our good bye in one of the last chapters of letting go. Lastly, my Mother would raise hell if the nurses, Drs., palliative care, home care and staff weren’t thanked.  We needed you and you were there.  Our thanks also to Ken Loehmer, you truly have been a comfort at this time. And finally to Lucie, you are an angel that walks the earth.  Thank you for being there with us all. Its now his time to step up and take his place on stage, as part of The Angel Band.  Go rest high on that mountain Dad your time on earth is done A daughter can only be so lucky to have a Dad like him.  I thank you and love you Dad.

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