Nov. 19, 1935 – Sept. 26, 2024
Joseph Fernando Jules Bessette, a resident of Peace River, AB, and former long-time resident west of Jean-Côté, AB, passed away on Sept. 26, 2024, at the RRH Medical Centre at the age of 88 years.
Born in McLennan, AB, on Nov. 19, 1935, Jules was raised on a farm north of Girouxville, AB. He attended primary and secondary school in Girouxville and pursued post-secondary education at Faculté St-Jean in Edmonton, graduating from Fairview Agricultural College.
Jules’ career began in the oil industry, where he worked his way up from roughneck to driller on oil rigs. He established his home-farm, breaking the land manually, focusing on grain farming and beekeeping/honey production. He received his first beehive as a wedding gift from his father. He loved tinkering and inventing innovative honey production equipment. He was recognized for his contributions to the beekeeping industry with a 40-year Billy Bee award and a 45-year award from BeeMaid Cooperative for honey shipment.
He enjoyed music and playing the piano, he also loved dancing.
Jules was predeceased by: his wife, Réjeanne; a baby daughter, Laurraine; his father, Adrien Bessette; mother, Doris Landreville; and granddaughter, Sherry.
He is survived by his children: Gilbert (Kim), Diane (Lenord), Maurice, Helene, Claude, and Marilyne; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandsons; all residing locally.
Memorial Mass was held from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Peace River on Oct. 11. 2024 at 11 a.m. A light lunch and refreshments followed, in the church lower hall.
Interment followed at the Jean-Cote cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were by Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Peace River.