In Loving Memory of

William Soucie

of Edmonton

William John Soucie
1946 - 2023

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our father, William John Soucie - known as "Bill" to most - at the age of 76, at the Edmonton General Hospital with his daughter by his side.

Dad was born in Thessalon, Ontario, to Jack and Edna Soucie. He was the second of seven children they would have. Times were tough being born at the end of the Second World War and being a large family on a military income. The family further endured many abusive times - both physically and mentally. Regardless of the horrific abuses he suffered, he never once mentioned them to his children in his whole life. He strove to make a better family than he had had himself. He continued to have a relationship with his parents so his children could know them in a better way than he had.

He met the love of his life, Carol Evelyn Cameron, in 1965. In 1967 they were married, and later that year welcomed daughter Frances to the world. One year later, on the exact same day as Frances' birth, they welcomed son Bo (John Clinton, "JC"). In 1974 they completed their family, welcoming son Albert. Dad and Mom did the best they could to ensure their children had a better life than they did. Dad never hesitated to go without so the children could have something they wanted. Many times were enjoyed; Christmas was always a celebration. Going to restaurants with their children - one fond memory was that our parents took the whole family to The Organ Grinder restaurant in Vancouver for our birthday... in recollection, it was a long way to go for pizza... but we had seen the advertisement on TV and that is what Bo and I wanted to do, so we did it. It was a regular event that on Saturday, when Dad was home he would take the children to McDonald's... Quarter Pounders with Cheese, fries and shakes for all... Vanilla was Dad's favourite. Leisurely drives that could last hours- especially at Christmas to see the Christmas lights or checking out undiscovered parts of the Fraser Valley and doing occasional day trips like going to the trout farm, PNE in Vancouver, or the museums in Victoria. There were two large trips in a motorhome to go to Ontario to meet family and celebrate a 25th Anniversary, and to Walt Disney Land in California. My parents ensured to take my brother Bo's friend named Matt... to give Bo a companion, but also because they knew that being from a single-parent home and having lost his father, he probably would never have this opportunity. This is who they truly were... wanting to create a loving family, providing for their family, while still being caring and kind for others.

Dad and Mom both had a love for animals. They both had had dogs all their lives and a few cats. They both loved the animals with all their hearts and they were family... not pets. During the family years and empty nest years they had many dogs... Blackie, Twirpie, Question, Answer, Shadow, and Little Bear. They also had some cats. They both would go without to ensure their animals, like their children, got what they needed.

Dad and Mom had 53 years together. Their road together was filled with many challenges, but through it all they were committed to each other through love. Mom started having health issues in the early 1980s. Dad started having health issues in the late 1980's. Regardless, they tried to soldier on as though everything was ok. During Mom's sickest days, the last year or so of Mom's life... Dad selflessly cared for Mom, doing all of her personal care so she could remain in their home, while he himself was so sick with a multitude of ailments - the worst being dementia and kidney failure, which he travelled over an hour, three times a week to get treatment for (a four hour dialysis session). When I look back, I am overwhelmed by the selflessness and perseverance of my father.

Mom passed away the 12th of September, 2018. This would change everyone's lives. Upon arriving to be with Dad during the loss of Mom... it became obvious that Dad was unable to be alone... how he managed to drive the hour, three times a week in the harsh winters for care is still beyond me. After talking with Dad, it was decided that he would have to leave their home in Matheson, Ontario, and move to Edmonton to be close so we could help him out. In a matter of a month he lost his wife, his home, his things, his car and his driver's license. This was hard on him.

We managed to get him an apartment across from the University Hospital so he could walk to dialysis. Meanwhile, because of the progressing dementia, Paul and I tried to navigate how to keep him safe while having him feel as though he had some control of his life. We were trying to get him into assisted living, and although he was reluctant, he agreed to try it. While on the wait list he fell coming home from dialysis and broke his hip. As a result of the surgery, his dementia was made a lot worse... so much so, that he could no longer go to assisted living and would have to go to Long Term Care. He became a patient at the Edmonton General Hospital on 6Y for 4 months, and then became a permanent resident of 8Y for 3-1/2 years. The Edmonton General was a great new home, as the dialysis unit was downstairs and his care teams were exceptional - treating him like family and not just a patient.

During Dad's time in Edmonton, Paul and I tried to make his life as enjoyable as possible. Movies out or in our home. Dinners out, in our home, with extended family or picnics in the park. Father and daughter cooking sessions... he was thrilled to learn to make pizza from scratch! Hot Shaves and Haircuts where Conner McDavid and other sports stars go. Hockey-watching parties with Paul and I in his room or at our home. Dairy Queen Ice Cream.... Dairy Queen Ice Cream and more Dairy Queen Ice Cream. In his last days, Paul discovered by accident his love of playing catch with a ball... he would do this until he had no energy left and would fall asleep. Dad and I spent countless hours playing crib, Yahtzee, and bowling. Dad, Daisy, Paul and I spent countless hours at the different parks in Edmonton.

Dad dreamed of being a sports announcer. He even took classes in Ontario. He never got to see this through, opting for the less risky option of becoming a heavy duty mechanic so he could provide for his family. Dad was a great mechanic. He worked his way from mechanic to supervisor to maintenance planner. At BC Forest Products he was often called "Dr Seuss... the only one who could talk to the animals!" Dad poured all his efforts into his job to provide financial security for his family. He was an extremely hard worker - working away in camps or in extreme weather conditions - and went without himself to ensure his children and wife enjoyed a nice home at Cultus Lake, BC. This allowed the kids access to good, stable education, which he did not get in his own life. Dad loved Cultus Lake and Tie Lake... He would spend time swimming or playing cards. He loved to play Euchre, crib and poker.

Since Dad started having health issues, his ailments always came second to earning a living and providing for his family. Due to his health issues, he retired in 2012. I have watched him battle these health ailments with courage and grace.

Life was not always easy for Dad; despite that, he made the best of the cards he was dealt... Never, ever complaining or blaming! Regardless of his tough start to life, he persevered to treat his family better and provide for them the best he could. He was an extremely hard worker. He was kind and helped many. Offering a place to stay, food, money or a loan of a vehicle... even when he did not have it to give.

Dad was not a man to share his feelings openly... regardless, his family knew that he loved each and every one of them! Dad now gets to join Mom in heaven and receive his angel wings... he has earned them. I have joy in thinking of him and Mom celebrating over her home made tiramisu while they test out their wings and hover over their family left here: daughter, Frances (Paul) Hopkins; son, Bo (Stacy) Soucie; son, Albert Soucie; grandson, Cody Soucie; granddaughter, Heather Soucie (Nick); grandson, Alec (Kaitlyn) and great-great-grandson, Greyson Xavier Aplin Soucie. He was so thrilled to become a great-great-grandpa in March of this year!

Dad was predeceased by: his loving wife, Carol Evelyn Soucie (nee: Cameron) on 12 Sept 2018; mother, Edna Mae Soucie (nee: Milligan) in 2000; father, "Jack" John Henry Soucie in 2014; sister, Nancy Soucie in 2006 and brother, Randy Soucie 2021.

Rest In Peace Dad! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your sacrifices. We have all always loved you.

I love you "to the moon and back". - your baby girl... Frank Skinny Minnie.

We would like to thank the staff of the Edmonton General... especially 6Y, 8Y and the dialysis team... I could rest at night because I new that you were not just doing a job... you cared for Dad like he was your family... from the bottom of my heart I truly appreciated you caring for him and loving him when I could not be there.

We are having a Celebration of Life for Dad on the 5th of July, 2023, to celebrate the hard-working, kind, and caring man he was. Please no flowers... like Dad, give to someone in need, do a random act of kindness, or donate to help a dog or animal.

Arrangements entrusted to Foster & McGarvey Downtown Funeral Home.