April 29, 1940 – September 25, 2021
In Loving Memory ~
Our dad, René Bernard Joseph Delisle left us on September 25th, 2021 in a Hospice in Renfrew, Ontario after a sudden change in health. René ended his 10-day heartfelt struggle with a peaceful, joyous acceptance of what was to come next.
René came into this world on April 29th, 1940 in a rural farmhouse near Pascal, Saskatchewan. Dad was an inventor, innovator and adventurer, bringing his young family through northern, central and southern BC and into Alberta in search of life’s secrets and her bounty. When René stumbled into the Comox Valley, he fell in love with the area and he decided to make it his home. Rene spent many years building both friendships and business relationships within the area.
René believed that you got as much as you gave in this life and as such, he donated a lot of his time, skills, knowledge and energy into charitable endeavours for friends, family and strangers. Although a proud provider, his thirst for knowledge was a true source of passion. He was a capable dreamer who took pride in making things better in whatever he set out to do.
His greatest achievement, for which he wishes to be remembered, he said, is “to be of this world, but not consumed by its materialism.” He wanted to “maintain his spirituality, and the connections to what mattered”, knowing that he could have many more things but chose not to. What he was most proud about? He quickly replied “having a family”. What he wished to be remembered for is “in making everything he did better, that no one had to tell him it was more beautiful, it just was”.
In reflecting on what others would say about him, he remarked that “he cares about people; he is hardworking; and that he believes in a higher purpose”. On connecting to people, dad had that ‘something special’ that drew people to him, a gentleness and twinkle of light in his baby blue eyes that conveyed hope and the belief that dreams could be reached for those that never gave up.
We take solace that dad will always be omni-present because of the many people he impacted in his life, even connecting with relative strangers who found an instant connection. That was dad. Strong yet with humility, a slight smile even through the toughest of times, a twinkle of light in his eye and humour ever so subtle that you really needed to know him to get the full meaning of his quip. Dad, 3-2-1 you’ve got this, forevermore.
There will be a Celebration of Life service on Sunday, May 29th at the Lion’s Den in Comox at 1:00 pm. There is parking for the Lion’s Den in the parking lot off Nordin St, or street parking on Comox Ave or Nordin St . We would love to see you there.