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Submitted by katrina on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 04:20:PM

A fighter his entire life, Jocelyn “Josh” Gilles Ouellette surrendered peacefully to cancer on January 24, 2020, at the age of 67. Born in Dalhousie, NB, he was the twelfth of 15 children. Coming from a large Acadian family uniquely prepared Josh for battle, whether he was playing in the family’s horseshoe tournament, running for elected office, or proudly serving his country. Josh enlisted in the military at age 19. Upon completion of his basic training, he married his high school sweetheart, Lise (née Caron), and Josh began his career as a Canadian Forces military police officer. Josh and Lise had adventures on bases in Quebec and Ontario while making lifelong friends and raising their three children with a strong love for country and a deep appreciation of their Acadian roots. In 1987, the family returned to New Brunswick, where Josh served with several provincial and municipal police departments. In 1998, Josh founded the Bathurst Youth Centre, and sat for several years as its president. Josh retired from law enforcement in 2015 as Chief of the BNPP regional police service, at which time he turned his attention to writing “The Catching of a Killer; la job de ‘ti-Luc Landry’” a book about his work as an undercover police officer on a successful case that became one of his proudest professional achievements. He stayed active, serving as a village councillor in Pointe-Verte, volunteering in his community and making regular visits to Tim Horton’s. This past May, Josh and Lise relocated to Alexandria, Ontario. As Josh would have said, “It’s for the kids,” a motto he applied in his career and grassroots organizing, but also as a father and exceptionally fun Pépère. Josh had a solid moral compass and put his family, community, and country before himself. He was especially fond of ‘les Canadiens de Montréal’, a good argument (that he never won), and generous pours of rum and red wine. Josh leaves behind Lise, his wife and partner of 45 years, his son René (Erin), daughters Michelle (Matthew) and Natalie (Benoit), as well as his grandchildren Raphael, Seraphine, Henri, Charles, Samson, Rosalie and Caleb. He will be missed not only by his sisters Rina, Rinette, Monique, and Louise, brothers Jean-Eude, Claude, Rino, Rheal, and Gilles, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and large extended family, but also by his brothers- and sisters-in-arms and community friends. Josh was predeceased by his parents Irêné and Lilianne, brothers Maurice, Marc, Gerard and Gerald, and sister Reine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bathurst Youth Centre through its GoFundMe page.

Doté d’une détermination courageuse tout au long de sa vie, Jocelyn “Josh” Gilles Ouellette s’est éteint paisiblement le 24 janvier 2020, à l’âge de 67 ans, après une lutte contre le cancer. Né à Dalhousie (N. B.), il était le douzième de 15 enfants. Issu d’une grande famille acadienne, Josh était particulièrement outillé pour se battre, que ce soit lors des tournois familiaux de fers à cheval, lorsqu’il a posé sa candidature aux élections, ou lorsqu’il a œuvré avec fierté au service de son pays. Josh s’est enrôlé dans l’armée à 19 ans et, après avoir réussi son instruction de base, il épousa sa petite amie du secondaire, Lise (née Caron), pour ensuite commencer sa carrière comme officier de la police militaire des Forces armées canadiennes. Josh et Lise vécurent toutes sortes d’aventures sur des bases militaires au Québec et en Ontario, tout en nouant de fidèles amitiés, élevant trois enfants, et cultivant un amour profond pour leur pays et leurs racines acadiennes. En 1987, la famille était de retour au Nouveau-Brunswick, où Josh a travaillé au sein de plusieurs services de police provinciaux et municipaux. En 1998, Josh a fondé le Centre des jeunes de Bathurst, et y a siégé comme président pendant plusieurs années. Josh a pris sa retraite des services policiers en 2015, alors qu’il était chef de la Police régionale BNPP. Il s’est alors tourné vers l’écriture, rédigeant « The Catching of a Killer; la job de ″ti-Luc Landry″ », un livre documentant son expérience comme agent de police banalisé attitré à une enquête qui devint l’une de ses plus grandes réussites professionnelles. Il est demeuré actif, œuvrant comme conseiller au village de Pointe-Verte, comme bénévole dans sa communauté et en se rendant régulièrement au Tim Horton’s du coin. En mai dernier, Josh et Lise sont déménagés à Alexandria, en Ontario. Comme l’aurait dit Josh, « c’est pour les enfants », une devise qui l’inspirait dans sa carrière et dans son engagement communautaire, mais aussi dans son rôle de père et de Pépère bien rigolo. Josh avait un sens moral profond, choisissant de mettre les besoins de sa famille, de sa communauté et de son pays avant les siens. Il était un fervent partisan des Canadiens de Montréal, appréciait une bonne chicane (qu’il ne gagnait d’ailleurs jamais), et un bon verre de rhum ou de vin rouge. Josh laisse dans le deuil son épouse Lise, après 45 ans de mariage, son fils René (Erin), ses filles Michelle (Matthew) et Natalie (Benoit), ainsi que ses petits-enfants Raphael, Seraphine, Henri, Charles, Samson, Rosalie et Caleb. Il laisse également ses sœurs Rina, Rinette, Monique et Louise, ses frères Jean-Eude, Claude, Rino, Rheal et Gilles, de nombreux neveux et nièces, cousins et cousines, une grande famille élargie, ainsi que ses frères et sœurs d’armes et ses amis dans sa communauté. Josh repose maintenant en paix avec ses parents Irêné et Lilianne, ses frères Maurice, Marc, Gerard et Gerald et sa sœur Reine. Au lieu de fleurs, vos témoignages de sympathie peuvent se traduire par un don (page GoFundMe) au Centre des jeunes de Bathurst.

 

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 12:26:PM

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Linda Kelly

my deepest sympathy to the family, he was a great man and iwas happy to get to know him, my daughter Krista Kelly spent a lot of time at the youth center and i didnt worry about her with Josh there my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow <3

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 12:35:PM

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Jackie Pitre

Toutes mes sympathies Lise et a la famille.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 01:03:PM

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George Daley

My condolences to his entire family. Josh gave of himself for the betterment of others and made a difference.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 02:02:PM

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Jean Boisvert

Rene - I was sadden to hear of the passing of your father -sympathies to you and your family.

Jean

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 02:38:PM

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Marcel and Julie Anne Goyette

Lise and family, our most sincere condolences at this very sad time for you and all of your children. The only think at we can use to raise our spirits, are the wonderful memories of a happy and kind man which was your husband Josh. Just was such a breath of fresh air each and every time we met with him. A joyous love of life, his family and his passion for getting it, right ! It saddens us so because he was a good man and the world is such a lesser place without him. He was kind and funny and had unlimited empathy for those in need. His voice and his laughter resound in our memories of him, we all loved Josh, and he as well left an impression on my sons ! Peace to you all during these difficult and trying times, all our love, The Goyette Clan

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 02:39:PM

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Sara DeGrace

My deepest sympathies, Lise, Michelle and family. Josh was an exceptional man who cared deeply for so many. Thinking of you during this difficult time and wishing you peace in your hearts.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 02:41:PM

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lise poirier

mes sympathie à la famille

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 02:49:PM

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Lisa and Dale Knowles

Our sympathies to Josh's family and friends. He was such a kind and caring man who always took time to stop and talk no matter where he was. He always asked how the the kids were doing. RIP Josh.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 03:01:PM

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Cathie and Cletus Boucher

Our deepest sympathies to Lise, his children, grandchildren and family members. Having worked with Josh for several years at the City of Bathurst it was a pleasure to have known him and his visits to my office were often the highlight of the day due to his witty sense of humor. The world is a sadder place without him.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 03:21:PM

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Joan Duguay Maltby and ¨Peter Maltby

Dear Lise, so sorry for your loss and sincere sympathies to all of your family

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