Wilfrid "Willy" Lefebvre

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of Willy Lefebvre announces his passing on April 22, 2022 at the age of 64 years old after a short, valiant battle with cancer.

Willy, was one of 13 children born to Antoine and Florence Lefebvre.  He spent his entire life living in “God’s Country” as he would refer to his hometown of Cold Lake, AB. Being born into one of the founding families of Cold Lake he always spoke with a great deal of pride of the history of his community.  Growing up and working on the family farm from the age of 6 years old when he would return from school and feed the minks as his older brothers were off commercial fishing with their parents.  His stories of his early years when Cold Lake was very much a small town, a tight knit community where neighbours helped neighbours and everybody knew your name were always met with enthusiasm from those around him. He continued this lifestyle and raised his children with very much the same values.  He was a dedicated, hard-working man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life with his number one priority being spending time with family.

At the age of 16 years old, with three of his brothers, they began a construction company pouring concrete basements in the Cold Lake area, a job that he recently took up again part time over the past two years.  During this time, he continued to help out on the family farm and with the commercial fishing that supported his family.  In 1980, he purchased three quarter sections of land in the Rangeland area south of Cold Lake.  For the next 10 years, he and his brothers worked together on their respective cattle and grain farming operations.  In 1989, just weeks after the birth of his third child, he began his 31-year career in the local oil industry, starting off as a steamfitter/labourer and becoming a Red Sealed Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter and Gasfitter.  He worked long hours often working overtime and doing call outs during the night.  His love for his career, along with his dedication, knowledge and the extraordinary memory abilities gave him the opportunity to direct and do his job with the upmost efficiency. He thrived on the challenge of planning and following through on jobs to be done in the most safe and efficient manner all while staying within the budget assigned or better yet saving the company a few dollars.  His problem-solving skills were second to none.  To this day, he is respected by many, many fellow colleagues for his work ethic, a quality that he has passed on to each of his three children.  Although he worked long hours during his career, his off-work hours were dedicated to being with family doing outdoor activities, playing games, coaching and watching sports and working alongside them building their homes and any projects they wanted help with. In March 2020 with the onset of Covid, he decided it was time to retire and enjoy uninterrupted time with his wife, adult kids and his beloved three grandsons and that he did!  Nothing put a smile on his face more than spending time with his family.  The life he and Connie created and passed onto their children was one very much of teamwork, for which he was very proud of.  His time on this earth was cut short quickly and he will be truly missed by many and remembered as a kind, loving, encouraging man who would give his shirt off his back for anyone in need.

Willy will be forever remembered and loved by his wife of 40 years: Connie and their three children: Mackenzie (Jessica) Lefebvre, Megan (Ken) Lange and Chelsea (Mike) Eckel; three grandsons: Carson Lefebvre, Logan Lefebvre & Bodhi Eckel; siblings: Louis, Victor, Jeannette, Bella, Diana, Conrad, Helen, Yvon & Floren; as well as in-laws: Andy, Debbie, Val & Bill and numerous nieces & nephews.

Willy was predeceased by his parents: Antoine & Florence Lefebvre, parents-in-law: Herb & Pat Sartison; brothers: Edmond, Norman; sister: Marguerite; brother-in-law: George; sister-in-law: Ghislaine.

As per Willy’s wishes, a small gathering will take place in honour of his amazing life at a later date.

Memorial tributes in memory of Willy may be sent to a charity of one's choice.

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