Germain Dondo

With sadness, we announce the passing of Germain Dondo on August 4, 2018 at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 89.

Germain was born April 3, 1929 in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, MB. He was introduced to farming at a very young age and often missed school to help with the farm responsibilities. At the age of 14, his family moved to St. Claude, MB where he continued to help on the farm.

In 1959, he married the love of his life, Juliana Gagnon, in Ross, MB. The couple purchased a farm north east of St. Claude, where they had their four children. In 1969, due to family illnesses, he and Juliana made the difficult decision to sell the farm and move the family to Portage la Prairie, MB. It was a very difficult transition for the family to learn a new language and to become accustomed to life in the city.

In Portage la Prairie, Germain worked at the MDC and did carpentry work at night until he decided to study to become a real estate agent. He enjoyed this new career as it allowed him to use his native language and farming knowledge to sell farmland to immigrants from France and Belgium. Germain continued to study for his brokerage license and later began his own company, G.J. Dondo Realty. Once he retired from real estate, he continued to do carpentry projects and work seasonally on a farm.

Germain had many hobbies. He enjoyed ice fishing, hunting, playing cribbage, knitting and gardening. He took pride in his Oxheart tomato plants and even won a prize for their size. He stayed active late into his life as he would take daily walks and volunteer at the Herman Prior Centre until the age of 80. Most importantly, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. His “sweet babies”, as he called them, will always remember the way he rocked them to sleep singing ‘Ave Maria’ and all of the lessons he taught them.

Germain was a spiritual man who had a very strong work ethic and believed that one must be true to oneself to live and work with integrity and honesty. People were often amazed by his creative “inventions”. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, creativity, tenacity, and determination.

Germain was predeceased by his beloved wife, Juliana. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Suzanne, Robert (Melodie), Lorraine (Lloyd) McAllister, and Gilbert (Doretta); his grandchildren Kristy Dondo (Dwight and great-granddaughter, Brooklyn), Jordan McAllister (Beata), Danielle McAllister (Simon), and Kayla Dondo.

He also leaves to mourn his siblings Gabrielle Lalonde, Yvette (Henri) Gauthier, Roland (Alice) and his sister in-law Clothilde Dondo. From Juliana’s family, he leaves to mourn Emilienne Gauthier, Jeannine Gagnon, and Anita Gagnon in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, Yves and Thérèse Dondo, and siblings Marie-Ange Lebleu, André, Marcel, Lionel, and Lucette (Albert) Jobin. From Juliana’s family, he is predeceased by her parents Edouard and Marie-Anne Gagnon, as well as her siblings Mariette (Gaston) Lambert, Henri (Fernande), Bertrand, Emilien Gauthier, Armande (Elisée) Charpentier, Marcel (Lina), and Abel.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm, with viewing prior to the service, at the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, 1125 Saskatchewan Ave E. Portage la Prairie, MB which will be led by Father Gerald Langevin. Interment will take place at the St. Claude Cemetery at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy; if friends so wish, donations may be made in Germain’s memory to Sunset Palliative Care Inc, Box 92 Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B2 or Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, 114 Countess Ave, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N OT2.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com