Paul Emile LeBel passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 15, 2021. He was born in Val Marie, SK on March 16, 1947 to the late Ephrem and Therese LeBel. Paul will be lovingly remembered as a family man with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Paul never met a stranger, and his handshake was unforgettable - both strong and kind. He taught his family important life lessons about humility, respect, helping others and taking pride in a day's work.
Paul was the third generation to run the LeBel family farm in Val Marie. He took great pride in farming and his Black Angus cattle. Among other jobs over the years, Paul worked the past 18 years with Grasslands National Park; a job he loved and was extremely proud of.
A life-long resident of Val Marie, Paul was an active member in the community that he loved. He spent his life giving back to his community; volunteering for the Val Marie Senior Center, the Rec Board, the Catholic church, the Lion's Club, and the Sask Housing Corp. among others.
Paul was passionate about the game of hockey. He was a smart, skilled hockey player growing up and went on to play senior hockey with the Val Marie Mustangs. He coached Layne and Dori in youth hockey and later coached his granddaughters, Shayna and Reanne, to two Provincial titles. Paul watched hockey given any opportunity; it didn't matter what level or who was playing. Paul was both a student and teacher of the game and impacted countless players over the years.
Paul is survived by his wife Joy, to whom he was married for 52 years. Paul is also survived by his three children, Leah (Barry) Hanson, Layne (Molly) LeBel and Dori LeBel, five grandchildren, Shayna (Dan Fryer) Hanson, Reanne (Shay) Briere, Kenton (Courtney Croisetiere) Hanson, Mason LeBel, Emelia LeBel, two great grandchildren, Rose Fryer and Taytum Briere.
Paul is also survived by one brother, Laurent (Donna) LeBel, two sisters Henriette (George) Macauley and Marie (Art) Clarkson and in-laws Barbara LeBel and Claudette LeBel and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was predeceased by his parents, two brothers Raymond LeBel and John LeBel, one sister and brother-in-law Jeanne and Raymond Boutiere, and nephew Wesley LeBel.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind words, cards and gifts of food and friendship. We are especially grateful to Karson Legault for the memorial cross. Special thanks to Dr. Pillay for being a strong advocate and providing exceptional medical care to Paul.
A celebration of life will be held next summer in Val Marie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Val Marie Prairie Community Centre - Memorial Donation P.O. Box 104 Val Marie SK S0N 2T0, Val Marie and District Ambulance - Memorial Donation P.O. Box 117 Val Marie, SK S0N 2T0 and RM of Frontier and District Ambulance - Memorial Donation P.O. Box 30 Frontier, SK S0N 0W0.
Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home. For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Paul LeBel, please visit our floral store.