We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Wilbrod Girard (Ret’d) of Girouxville AB at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre in McLennan AB on 17 October 2015 at the age of 95 years.
Wilbrod was born in Stadacona QC and at the age of nine, his family moved to the Peace River AB region as first generation homesteaders. He attended Grouard Residential School until the age of 12 when he went to work for local farmers. At the age of 16, he started working in lumber camps as a cat skinner as well as a driver trucking loads of lumber.
Wilbrod was a veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in 1941 and served with the Second Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers. He trained in Grand Prairie, Saskatoon and Petawawa. He saw action through Northwest Europe and was building a bridge in Belgium when the war ended. He spent another six months in Amsterdam awaiting repatriation to Canada.
Once demobilized, Wilbrod returned to Alberta, filed for a homestead and became the owner of his own farm. However, he decided to use the road building skills learned in the Army rather than farm. In the winter months, he worked lumber camps clearing the roads of snow. In the summer, he would build new roads. Wilbrod did this for over 20 years, retiring in 1980 to finally return to full-time farming. He retired in 1983 at the age of 64.
Wilbrod was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion McLennan Branch #153 and remained actively involved with them carrying the wreath in the Remembrance Day celebrations on many times, including on his final Remembrance Day on 11 November 2014.
A memorial serve will be held on 24 October. Donations may be made to the Smoky River Palliative Care Societyin Falher AB or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #153 in McLennan.
