Obituary of Bernard Victor Fetaz

Bernard Victor Fetaz was born on December 18, 1924 in Castor, the third child of Albert and Laura Fetaz from north of Halkirk. As a child Bernard enjoyed learning to fish and swim in the Battle River and all of his schooling was taken at Apremont School, just a half mile south of the farm. When he was just 11 years old he became very sick with Osteomyelitis and spent a great deal of time in the Galahad Hospital and the General Hospital in Edmonton where he had surgery and recovered. This took years of his childhood away from him. When Albert and Laura retired and moved to Castor in 1953 Bernard and his youngest brother Armand began farming together in a partnership that lasted over 45 years. Bernard and Armand also owned a D6 Cat dozer they used for brushing and clearing land to make extra money. He lived in the same house with Armand and Colette and their nine children until he bought a mobile home in 1980 and lived across the yard. Even though Bernard had a physical disability, he never let that stop him from fishing the northern lakes of Alberta and Saskatchewan. He camped in his holiday trailers in many parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Alaska. He also saw parts of Eastern Canada, the United States and made a trip to France to see the birth place of his father and other ancestors. When mining operations moved close to the farm he moved his mobile home into Castor in 2003. In 2009 he was forced to move into the Extendicare in Castor because of failing health. He lived with the excellent care of doctors and nurses until his passing. In the last few years, Bernard always enjoyed his trips to Stettler and the farm north of Halkirk with nephews, nieces and his friend Jim Culham. Although he had many health problems throughout his life he endured and kept on living life to its fullest. Just the day before his passing he mentioned to one of his healthcare providers that he was still going to move home to his trailer in town. He was a man with great determination and hope. Bernard is survived by his loving family: sister Juliette (Raymond) Cordell of St. Albert; sister in law Colette Fetaz of Castor; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, other family members and many dear friends. Prayer Vigil Tuesday, April 9, 2013 7:00 P.M. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Castor, Alberta Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:00 A.M. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Castor, Alberta Memorial donations in memory of Bernard gratefully accepted to OLRH Foundation or Notre Dame de Savoie Cemetery.