Joseph *Marcel Arthur Belmore

October 10, 1926 ~ June 5, 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved uncle, brother and friend, Joseph Marcel Arthur Belmore at the age of 94 on Saturday, June 5 at the Whitemouth Personal Care Home.

Marcel is predeceased by his father Elmer from Tomahawk, Wisconsin and mother Yvonne from Montreal; brothers Armand and Wilfred; sisters Lima (Irene) and Leda; and nephew Kurtis.  He is survived by his brother Joseph; nephews Kevin, Alan, Randy, John and Armand; and nieces Marian and Darlene.

Marcel was born in 1926 at the family homestead SW-06-06-32-1W, 24 km south of Redvers, 40km north of Carnduff, 12km east of Cantel, and 40km west of Storthoaks, Saskatchewan. The homestead is located on the Saskatchewan Pure Prairie of what is now world-famous wheat fields, yet it still shows signs of its forged out rugged past, with uncut bush and timber, and fields of unpicked stones.  An Oil Company Geologist once foretold, “I can tell by the lay of this land, that there is oil here.”.  Marcel knew this land like you might know your city, proudly touring its roads and greeting his neighbors. Returning you home safely from an Odyssey of things to do and see with only a tree, a derelict building or a speed curve on the gravel as its signpost for a guide. Marcel also had an ability to bond with animals at a time when farming was ‘Teaming up the Horses’ or ‘Going to Town’, with a dog rounding up the cattle, cats patrolling the barn and chickens laying fresh eggs daily. Marcel rode his horse to school, from K-9, three miles down the road and trusted that horse to return him home from that dance, a little tight. Later in life, he was so proud of the llamas he had as a novelty. Living through the Great Depression in the 30’s then into WW2, Marcel kept the food supplies flowing for his brother Wilfred in ‘Service for our Country’.  Then as farming transformed from animal to machinery, Marcel had to adapt and become a mechanic to fix his John Deere or Case tractor. Not everyone can afford to buy one of those big combines, as you would have to farm half of Saskatchewan to pay for it.  Well, he did farm almost 3 square miles, and three, three quarter sections of wheat.  Marcel will be remembered for his humor, kindness, thoughtfulness, his masculinity (physique), empathy (ability to cry with you) and his humility (to be able to say, “Thank you very, very much.”).

As a young man, Marcel was out this way before, far from home on a ‘Cutting Crew’ that led him by rail or road up to St. George, then through Whitemouth, Manitoba, and on to a night’s stay at the ‘The Queens Inn’ in Kingston, Ontario. There he wrote his mom an “I Miss You” letter.  As with these past events now to present, we would like to thank all the wonderful caring people along our way and especially Jackie Olson and the staff at the Whitemouth Personal Care Home.  And so, we will take Marcel back home again to Saskatchewan with a celebration to be held in Redvers, then over to Storthoaks Cemetery to rest next to his beloved mom and dad, for a life well lived and well done.

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