It all started in Dijon, France on Sunday, August 21, 1932. Bernard Marius Chapuis was the youngest of seven children born to Marie-Therese and Marius. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, likely of a heart attack, on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in Prince Albert, SK, at the age of 85 years. Now, to look at the years between…

His sense of adventure brought him via the good ship Homeric to Quebec to study Veterinary Medicine at St. Hyacinthe. Answering an ad after convocation in 1959, he got his first job in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with Dr. Harvey Just. Six years later they decided to create two practices to “corner the market” in Prince Albert. Those were the days of country calls and primarily large animal practice. As the small animal field grew and Prince Albert expanded, Bernard built his Marquis Road Veterinary Clinic in the newly developed Marquis Road Industrial Park. Nestled among car dealerships, Bernard planted rows of willows, daisies and crab apple trees to landscape his clinic situated on a one acre space. Veterinary medicine was truly a vocation for Bernard; he was a practicing vet for 59 years. Needless to say, he saw many changes in the profession, but never ceased being interested in his clients, their pets and the cases. He also appreciated his relationship with the Veterinary College in Saskatoon. Although he had recently listed the practice for sale (a tiny ad in the vet association journal), he said he truly did not want to retire. The fact that he died quite suddenly, after only a few a days away is, we are certain, the way he wanted it.

This is not to say he didn’t have other interests. He loved music and shared that love and interest with many friends. He also loved swimming; his pool friends were very close to him and among the first to deliver a sympathy card. He loved food and cooking and trying new recipes, albeit changing them and adding twice as much if the recipe called for cream, butter, wine or fresh herbs. He loved art and supported the art community in many ways. He loved friends and family equally, he was very happy as our family grew with son-in-law Colin, daughter-in-law Laura, their families, and of course, grandsons Jack and Levi. He kept in close touch with our French family through phone calls, visits, photos and flowers. He loved so many and so much, and his enthusiasm was contagious.

He and Evelyn had a marvelous time together. They married in 1962, bought the house on the hill, and immediately installed the 12-foot “square with the circle in it” sculpture. They did all the good stuff – children, pets, work, travel, friends, projects, entertaining, being part of the community. They had different interests and different ways of doing things but a very strong mutual respect and admiration. In Evelyn’s last year, Bernard took wonderful care of her and they enjoyed a time of special closeness and happy reflection on their 55 years together.

Bernard is survived by his children, Mary-Lorraine (Colin Chovin) and Paul (Laura Metz); his grandsons, Jack and Levi; his two siblings, Anny Maurer and Georges (Nicole); and his two sisters-in-law, Bernadette and Arlette. He was predeceased by his dear wife Evelyn in May of this year; his brothers, Jean, Francois and Michel (Marie-Jeanne); and his sister, Claude.

Bernard supported many causes, but he would suggest a donation to a cause of your choice, not his. He might suggest buying champagne to drink with those you love, or at least with those who love champagne.

A Celebration of Bernard’s Life, as he was a person who truly celebrated life, will be held at the Mann Art Gallery, Rawlinson Centre, 142 12th St West, Prince Albert, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The event will begin with a short program and socializing to follow. At a later date, the family will have mass at St. Peter’s in Muenster, where his and Evelyn’s ashes will be interred together in her family plot. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/riverpark/Obituaries/dr-bernard-marius-chap…. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Paula Hanson, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2018-07-24
• Location : Prince Albert, SK