Obituary of Roland Geralde Coulombe

It is with heavy hearts we announce that after a brief illness,  Roland Geralde Coulombe passed away on February 26, 2025, with his wife and family by his side. 

He was born to Laurent and Germaine Coulombe on September 18, 1946 in Winnipeg, MB. A few years later, his parents moved to the small town of Atikokan Ontario where Roland grew up. Their family grew to include two sisters Anita & Diane and a brother Allan. 

Roland enjoyed the beautiful country around Atikokan spending many happy summers fishing, camping, hunting, playing ball and in the winters playing hockey. He just loved the outdoors. 

As a young man Roland loved working in the Yukon, appreciating the beauty of the country. However, in 1971 he came back to Ontario to marry Agnes Sawdo, who had a young daughter Sheila, whom he welcomed as his own. Together they had three more daughters Camille, Treena and Paula.

They built a happy life together in Ignace, Ontario. Roland worked for Mattabi Mine as a heavy equipment mechanic. They purchased a new home and settled in. It was around the time Paula was born that Agnes began to study the Bible. She loved her Christian faith and would often share what she learned with Roland. Soon after, Roland was also baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in November 1976. 

Sadly, tragedy struck on March 4, 1977 when a car accident claimed the lives of Agnes and Sheila, leaving Roland seriously injured and in a coma. After several months of intensive recovery, Roland was then left to raise his three daughters who were five, four and two years old.  

Our life with Dad:

Shortly after returning to Ignace, Roland moved his family to Dryden, Ontario and he began learning how to be both a mom and a dad. He learned how to cook, clean and care for the home while also securing work that enabled him to provide for his family. Each year dad planted a beautiful garden and he eventually expanded to raising chickens, rabbits, and goats. Camping, beach days, fishing trips, bike rides and hiking became the norm for the family as the girls grew up.  Along with fun days we were also taught how to work hard. Life was not easy for him as a single parent and we would often catch dad saying a prayer under his breath as he poured his heart out to Jehovah. 

Soon enough the family grew to welcome three wonderful sons-in-law. After four(4) daughters dad was so happy to finally have some “sons” and he loved them dearly sharing lots of laughs together. 

Then came grandchildren. Dad loved his grandchildren very much. He was always ready to be a babysitter, often saying “happiness is grandchildren” He would take his grandkids out to his garden to pick raspberries or out for a ride to the country in his truck. 

It was in 2009 during a trip to Texas that he met his beautiful wife Eunice. He was so happy to find someone he could relate to since they both lost their first spouse at a young age with three young children to raise. They happily married and began to build a life together on October 9, 2010. They lived in Dryden for a few years before moving to Selkirk and then into Winnipeg. Together they loved their vacations with family and friends. They were always ready to get together as a family, showing hospitality. We have many good memories of these occasions. 

Roland was able to accompany his wife who was in the full time volunteer ministry work and together they attended pioneer training bible school. He also gave many bible based talks and discussions at the Kingdom Hall.

Roland really appreciated a good game of cribbage, sitting around a fire while reciting his poems, enjoying a good meal, going for walks, and being with family and friends. He was always a strong person, ready to help out. We always admired dad’s humility and kindness. 

Roland was predeceased by his sister Diane, father Laurent, his first wife Agnes, daughter Sheila, his sister Anita and his mother Germaine. 

Roland is survived by his beloved wife Eunice, his three daughters Camille (Jovan), Treena (Richard), and Paula (Andrew). Four grandchildren, Stefan (Melissa), Donovan, Cassia (Jake), Chayse (Macayla) and two great grandchildren Odin and Arlo. Roland’s brother Allan Coulombe. Also Stepchildren/grandchildren, Jennifer, Joseph (Stephanie), Jason (Kristen), Ashley, Jordan, Malachi, Matteo, as well as numerous other extended family and friends. 

We all look forward to seeing him again! 

John 5:28  “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” 

Memorial Service Info for Roland Coulombe: 

March 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm. 

Followed by a light lunch. 

Everyone is welcome 

Location:

Kingdom Hall Complex 

of Jehovah’s Witnesses 

227 Lakewood Boulevard 

Winnipeg Manitoba. 

Zoom option: 

Meeting ID: 820 0345 0170

Passcode: john11:24

Questions can be directed to Treena at: 204-995-8951 

*for more information on the bible’s promise of a resurrection please visit www.jw.org 

The family would like to express their gratitude towards all the doctors, nurses and medical staff who provided care for Roland, both in his home and at the Riverview Health Centre facility