Wesley Ronald Goulet – November 12, 1922 – November 26, 2012 left “OUR world” at 9:10 am at Coquihalla Gillis House in Merritt BC.
“Ron” was born November 12th, 1922 in Lockwood, Saskatchewan to Alfred & Lyla May Goulet. Ron was the eldest of their two sons. He grew up in Bird River Manitoba, 29 miles North-East of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba.
In 1941 – Ron was self employed farming and trapping in Bird River, Man area. Prior to enlisting to serve in war, Ron worked on his mother’s 100 acre farm in Bird River, near Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba. Ron Goulet at 18 years of age when he volunteered for 48 months WWII service, he trained at Portage La Prairie, Ft. Garry, Shilo, He was dispatched to war on January 12, 1942. He served with the Artillery Regiment, Group “A”, “B” and “C”. (C.P.O.A) , of the 13th Field Battery, 6th Field Regiment, and 6th Bragad of the 2nd Canadian Division. The 2nd Canadian Division was supporting Infantry. Ron was honorably discharged from service on January 8, 1946. Ron acquired a Tattoo while overseas, in 1942, on his right arm and it represents Canadian & England (shaking) HANDS Across the Sea.
Ron was in active service in 1944 during World War II. in France, Ron rode Harley Davidson motorcycle acting as a spotter or a surveyor of military targets. As a Artillery Surveyor, Ron used a Branton Pocket Transit to work as a scout in Europe to Survey Military targets during World War II. This device combines the principles of the surveyor’s compass, prismatic compass clinometers and hand held level in one device. During World War II it was militarized and issued as the Military Compass M2.
On one occasion, Ron was blown off his motorcycle from enemy mortar shell, throwing him into the air & wrecking his bike and injuring his back, neck & shoulder. According to Ron’s Soldier’s Pay Book provided to him by the Canadian Army, in November 1942 he earned 39.00 PAY, December 1942-$40.30, Jan 1943 – $40.00 for his service for these (example) month(s). While Ron was in active service he assigned $20 each month from his pay to be sent home to his mother Lyla in Bird River Manitoba.
Medals:
Awarded Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp
The 1939-45 FRANCE & GERMANY STAR
Awarded The DEFENSE Medal
War Medal 1939-45
1948 – Ron returned to work in Flin Flon Manitoba to work at the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelter.
1949 – Ron met his future wife, Helen Wells who was then a Manitoba telephone switch-board operator. Ron & Helen happily married on August 1, 1950 and had 5 children; Lynne, Ron Jr., Dave, Beth & Bill. Sadly, Ron Jr. passed away on Oct 29, 1977 at 23 years old, and Lynne passed away on April 26, 2000 at the age of 48 years. Ron’s beloved wife Helen pre-deceased him on June 21, 2009. Ron missed Helen immensely. Ron was employed for many years in the Diamond Drilling Exploration industry through-out Canada, USA including places like Africa. Ron worked on the Winnipeg Flood Way, then in 1966 – Ron moved to the family to Kaslo British Columbia, were Ron was a Foreman on the Houser Dam and the High Arrow Dam. Ron worked on every power dam that is in British Columbia, except the Bennett Dam.
August 2007 – Ron and Helen Goulet relocated from Dawson Creek to Merritt BC, to enjoy the warmer climate and to be closer to their daughter Beth and husband Blair Hillier. Ron and Helen had been married for 59 years.
Ron’s Grandfather was Manitoba’s, Honorable MAXIME GOULET – of the Liberal’s first government in Manitoba, Canada, ‘under Louis Riel.
Ron’s uncle Roger Goulet was Honorable Roger Goulet who was the Agriculture Minister with Louis Riel’s first Liberal government. The Goulet Family wishes to THANK all Staff at Coquihalla Gillis House for caring for your loving Father. Thank you
Celebration of Life is being planned for Ron. No service at his request. Ron will be cremated and then laid to rest in Princeton BC Cemetery with his wife Helen, son Ron Jr and daughter Lynne at a later date, TBA.
