Albert Paul Levesque

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Albert Paul Levesque at the tender age of 84 years.  He was born December 18, 1936 in Campbelton, New Brunswick.  Albert didn’t like going to school and dropped out in grade 6 to go to work to help support his family after his mother passed away.  He has always been a simple man that didn’t have high needs.  He would make due with what he had and make the best of it as long as he was surrounded by friends.  In his early manhood he loved working on cars and equipment, drove school bus, and worked as a logger in southeast New Brunswick.

Albert married Celina Poirier on July 27, 1968 in Eel-River, New Brunswick.  They had two children together, Ernest and Dianne.  In 1977, the economy in New Brunswick was dismal.  Albert wanted to provide a better life for his family than the Eastern Lotto (work 6 weeks, get 36 weeks unemployment) the welfare way, so after being rejected for relocation funds by the welfare office, he packed his truck and headed west.  He always believed “If you want something, go out and get it”.  He landed in Edmonton a week later and found a job with Cavan Construction.  He was a very skilled carpenter and worked all over Alberta, Yukon, and NWT with PCL and Stuart Olsen Construction.  Some of the projects he worked on were the Barrhead Hospital, Rimbey Hospital, Centennial Centre in Ponoka, Ponoka Hospital, Fort McMurray Hospital, and the hospital in Fort Smith, NWT.

Throughout the years Albert has helped over 18 families move from eastern Canada to Alberta in hopes of a better life; they have all gone back or passed away.  He had a huge heart and would give the shirt off his back for family and friends.  He loved people.

They bought 40 acres in the Crestomere/Sylvan Heights area and started building a house there in 1982.  He also completed many projects such as barns and house renovations for the local farmers in the Crestomere/Sylvan Heights area.

After working at numerous construction jobs, Albert wanted to try other things so when the opportunity to lease and purchase the Oasis Motel in Ponoka came up in 1989, they sold the acreage in the Crestomere area and moved to the town of Ponoka.

Albert taught himself how to play the mouth organ at a very young age.  He would always bring it out and play a tune when there were get-togethers.  When he and Celina owned the Oasis Motel, everyone always knew where he was, you could hear him whistling from room to room.  Albert and Celina ran the motel until they sold it in 2006.  He was at the age where it was time to relax.

The heaviest Albert ever got was 137 lbs in his 50s.  He has hovered around 127 lbs in weight his whole life but that never stopped him from achieving.  His nickname was “Mad Dog Levesque” and there is quite a story to that!

Some of his biggest losses were the death of his mom, dad, and brother Philip.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Celina; his son Ernest (Tracey) and their sons Kenton and Cole of Ponoka; his daughter Dianne (Murray) and their children Timothy, Nicole, Luke, and Brooke of Morinville; two sisters in New Brunswick, Jean (John) and Gertrude (Henry); and one brother Bobby in Quebec; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, there will not be a formal funeral service.  Anyone wishing to honour his memory may make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  If you ever associated with him, cherish the memories, that’s the way he wished to be remembered!

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