Victor Tougas

Obituary

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in April this year. I wasn’t ready to leave family and friends, but I was ready to be reunited with the love of my life, Freda! Not wanting to give up, or some might say “being stubborn”, I held on until the universe decided to step in and guide me. I passed away surrounded by my daughters on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

I was born on March 29, 1939, or the 28th depending on which ID I checked. I was the second youngest of twelve children born to my parents, Philias Tougas and Maria (née Mousseau). I have now joined my brothers and sisters, Georges, Antoinette, Juliette, Angele, Jules, Noël, Bernadette, Céline, Louise, and Roger and we will all watch over our brother Isaïe while he continues to celebrate life.

I shared a strong bond with each of my siblings. Though we had a hard rural life as children, we also had many fond memories about growing up on the farm. We often laughed retelling stories of the times we did “des mauvais coups” and got into trouble. I did eventually do “mon smarten up” and coached the Royals and later joined my brothers doing what I loved – trucking.

My life truly began when I fell in love with a waitress serving me a slice of cherry pie, Freda Vermette. She was a little bit country and I was a little bit rock and roll and we married on November 29, 1958. I was blessed with an amazing wife and daughters, whom I love deeply. I have been a proud man, but nothing made me more proud than my girls, Rachelle, Paulette, Denise and Yvette – who have grown into strong, independent, and intelligent women. While there were many hardships, including the sudden tragic death of our young son Denis, our love and commitment to each other and our girls pulled us through. We had a great life together, sharing a passion for good times, friends, and family! My favorite times were listening to music and dancing with my girls. We did my version of the twist together, or I would watch them line dance, and Freda would always do her best to learn the steps! Karaoke nights, singing Elvis or Dean Martin, and listening to Freda and the girls sing, were frequent, precious family events that I treasured.

I loved our family gatherings with my grandchildren Janelle, Serge, Justin, Danielle and Taylor and we enjoyed Freda’s great cooking and baking; in my eyes she was the best. Then we’d play all kinds of games; cards, Minute-to-win-it, and family challenges. Although we were never rich in money, we were the envy of many. In September 2018, a few months shy of our 60th wedding anniversary, Freda passed away. There followed many lonely days when I painfully felt her absence, especially when our daughter Céline, and most recently my stepson Gerry passed away. Now we are all reunited with Freda and Denis.

Reluctantly, I embraced using an iPad and was able to stay connected and got creative adding emojis to posts. I wish I’d had more time to connect with my great-grandson Jude, as I hear he is pretty clever using an iPad. I’m sure he could have taught me a few tricks. But I did learn to master responding in messenger and finding music videos on YouTube and Google all by myself.

I am very grateful to family and friends who cared and prayed for me. It was my wish to live independently at home as long as possible and Jill, from Palliative Care, and Melissa from Home Care, you helped with this request. It became challenging near the end, but your care, compassion, creativity and humour, allowed me to spend more time at home. I also am appreciative of the care extended to me by Dr. Reimer and the staff at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

Independence was always very important to me! I never wanted anyone to worry about me, so please don’t worry or feel sorry for me now! Remember the great times we shared as family and friends!

The memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

A private celebration of life reception with family and friends will also be held November 8, 2024.

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