Obituary of VICTOR ADOLPHE CHAPUT

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Victor Chaput on 23 June, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 85 years.

Victor is survived by his loving wife Helen of 60 years, sons Thomas (Nadia) and Daniel (Lisa) and his beloved granddaughters Tamara and Oksana; brother Paul (Mimi) Chaput, in-laws  Micheline Chaput, Paul Marcoux, Armand (Anita) Vallée, and Sophie Moskalyk; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. He was predeceased by his son John Paul; parents Georges and Amélie Chaput; sisters Marie Chaput, Hélène Vallée, Patricia Marcoux, brother Jean Chaput; parents in-law Paul and Mary Moskalyk and brother-in-law Jerry Moskalyk.

Growing up in Saint-Boniface, Victor made many lifelong friendships including Paul Boulanger, Gilles Marius, and Aime Boily. Even though he had already met his future wife, Helen, independent and strong-minded, Victor left home to pursue both hockey and his university studies at Bemidji State, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Returning home, Victor and Helen were married and began their life together. Victor furthered his studies and completed a Bachelor of Education and his Pre-Masters work at the University of Manitoba.

Victor’s passion and love for education was very evident in his roles as teacher at Beliveau Junior High and Windsor Park Collegiate, as school administrator at Pierre Radisson Collegiate, Tuxedo Park School, Laidlaw School, Royal Elementary School, and finally as Director of French Immersion Programming in the Assiniboine South School Division. In retirement, he enjoyed mentoring new teachers as a practicum advisor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.

Victor had a huge heart. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and a very doting grandfather. The family will forever cherish many happy memories of childhood road trips, winter vacations down south and of course all the summers spent at the cottage which he built on lake Winnipeg. 

As a lover of the outdoors and athletics, he played hockey, cycled, walked his dogs and enjoyed his many canoe trips with close friend Howard Holtman through Woodlands Caribou Park, the Yukon River and a special trip through the Queen Charlotte Islands, joined by his sons.

Victor had a smile and a story for anyone who would listen. He was a handyman, and counsellor always ready to help, fix anything, and give much needed advice to his family, especially his granddaughters, whom he adored.

The Chaput family expresses their heartfelt thanks to Rev. Fr. Micheal Winn, and all family and friends, as well as the neighbors on West Springs Cove, who kept Victor in their prayers during this difficult period. 

They also convey their deep gratitude to Dr. John Mayba for his years of care and support; to Dr. Andrew Maksymiuk, the staff at CancerCare Manitoba, and finally to the St. Boniface Palliative Care unit, for their advice, care and compassion.

In accordance with Victor’s wishes, his life will be celebrated privately with family and friends in August. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to CancerCare Manitoba.