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Submitted by katrina on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 04:20:PM

A fighter his entire life, Jocelyn “Josh” Gilles Ouellette surrendered peacefully to cancer on January 24, 2020, at the age of 67. Born in Dalhousie, NB, he was the twelfth of 15 children. Coming from a large Acadian family uniquely prepared Josh for battle, whether he was playing in the family’s horseshoe tournament, running for elected office, or proudly serving his country. Josh enlisted in the military at age 19. Upon completion of his basic training, he married his high school sweetheart, Lise (née Caron), and Josh began his career as a Canadian Forces military police officer. Josh and Lise had adventures on bases in Quebec and Ontario while making lifelong friends and raising their three children with a strong love for country and a deep appreciation of their Acadian roots. In 1987, the family returned to New Brunswick, where Josh served with several provincial and municipal police departments. In 1998, Josh founded the Bathurst Youth Centre, and sat for several years as its president. Josh retired from law enforcement in 2015 as Chief of the BNPP regional police service, at which time he turned his attention to writing “The Catching of a Killer; la job de ‘ti-Luc Landry’” a book about his work as an undercover police officer on a successful case that became one of his proudest professional achievements. He stayed active, serving as a village councillor in Pointe-Verte, volunteering in his community and making regular visits to Tim Horton’s. This past May, Josh and Lise relocated to Alexandria, Ontario. As Josh would have said, “It’s for the kids,” a motto he applied in his career and grassroots organizing, but also as a father and exceptionally fun Pépère. Josh had a solid moral compass and put his family, community, and country before himself. He was especially fond of ‘les Canadiens de Montréal’, a good argument (that he never won), and generous pours of rum and red wine. Josh leaves behind Lise, his wife and partner of 45 years, his son René (Erin), daughters Michelle (Matthew) and Natalie (Benoit), as well as his grandchildren Raphael, Seraphine, Henri, Charles, Samson, Rosalie and Caleb. He will be missed not only by his sisters Rina, Rinette, Monique, and Louise, brothers Jean-Eude, Claude, Rino, Rheal, and Gilles, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and large extended family, but also by his brothers- and sisters-in-arms and community friends. Josh was predeceased by his parents Irêné and Lilianne, brothers Maurice, Marc, Gerard and Gerald, and sister Reine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bathurst Youth Centre through its GoFundMe page.

Doté d’une détermination courageuse tout au long de sa vie, Jocelyn “Josh” Gilles Ouellette s’est éteint paisiblement le 24 janvier 2020, à l’âge de 67 ans, après une lutte contre le cancer. Né à Dalhousie (N. B.), il était le douzième de 15 enfants. Issu d’une grande famille acadienne, Josh était particulièrement outillé pour se battre, que ce soit lors des tournois familiaux de fers à cheval, lorsqu’il a posé sa candidature aux élections, ou lorsqu’il a œuvré avec fierté au service de son pays. Josh s’est enrôlé dans l’armée à 19 ans et, après avoir réussi son instruction de base, il épousa sa petite amie du secondaire, Lise (née Caron), pour ensuite commencer sa carrière comme officier de la police militaire des Forces armées canadiennes. Josh et Lise vécurent toutes sortes d’aventures sur des bases militaires au Québec et en Ontario, tout en nouant de fidèles amitiés, élevant trois enfants, et cultivant un amour profond pour leur pays et leurs racines acadiennes. En 1987, la famille était de retour au Nouveau-Brunswick, où Josh a travaillé au sein de plusieurs services de police provinciaux et municipaux. En 1998, Josh a fondé le Centre des jeunes de Bathurst, et y a siégé comme président pendant plusieurs années. Josh a pris sa retraite des services policiers en 2015, alors qu’il était chef de la Police régionale BNPP. Il s’est alors tourné vers l’écriture, rédigeant « The Catching of a Killer; la job de ″ti-Luc Landry″ », un livre documentant son expérience comme agent de police banalisé attitré à une enquête qui devint l’une de ses plus grandes réussites professionnelles. Il est demeuré actif, œuvrant comme conseiller au village de Pointe-Verte, comme bénévole dans sa communauté et en se rendant régulièrement au Tim Horton’s du coin. En mai dernier, Josh et Lise sont déménagés à Alexandria, en Ontario. Comme l’aurait dit Josh, « c’est pour les enfants », une devise qui l’inspirait dans sa carrière et dans son engagement communautaire, mais aussi dans son rôle de père et de Pépère bien rigolo. Josh avait un sens moral profond, choisissant de mettre les besoins de sa famille, de sa communauté et de son pays avant les siens. Il était un fervent partisan des Canadiens de Montréal, appréciait une bonne chicane (qu’il ne gagnait d’ailleurs jamais), et un bon verre de rhum ou de vin rouge. Josh laisse dans le deuil son épouse Lise, après 45 ans de mariage, son fils René (Erin), ses filles Michelle (Matthew) et Natalie (Benoit), ainsi que ses petits-enfants Raphael, Seraphine, Henri, Charles, Samson, Rosalie et Caleb. Il laisse également ses sœurs Rina, Rinette, Monique et Louise, ses frères Jean-Eude, Claude, Rino, Rheal et Gilles, de nombreux neveux et nièces, cousins et cousines, une grande famille élargie, ainsi que ses frères et sœurs d’armes et ses amis dans sa communauté. Josh repose maintenant en paix avec ses parents Irêné et Lilianne, ses frères Maurice, Marc, Gerard et Gerald et sa sœur Reine. Au lieu de fleurs, vos témoignages de sympathie peuvent se traduire par un don (page GoFundMe) au Centre des jeunes de Bathurst.

 

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 07:48:PM

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Maurice Levesque

Our condolences to the family

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 09:01:PM

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Frank and Anne Bard-Lavigne

Sorry for your lost, all our sympathy, to you Lise and all the family. Our thoughts are with you.
RIP Josh ??

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/25/2020 - 09:48:PM

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André Pepin

Mes sympathies a toutes la famille

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 10:01:AM

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Martha Jacobson and Vicki Francis

It is with great sadness that we extend our deepest sympathy to you and extended families.
I had the privilege of first meeting Josh through his meetings with BHS teachers and students and then at the Youth Centre.
And then Michelle became part of our family and Matthew part of yours and our family became yours. And we are blessed to have all of you . And so we extend our large Jacobson arms to surround you with love and compassion, with sympathy and heartfelt understanding of your sadness and pain.
Please accept our condolences .
Hugs
Martha and Vicki

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 10:45:AM

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Chuck Johnstone

My deepest condolences to all. My memories of Josh, and family, will always be there as they intertwined with ours.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:14:AM

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Gary and Debbie Collins

We lost a brother and a friend but we find peace in knowing he is joining an army of friends and loved ones in heaven. Josh, you earned your wings! I know you will watch over all of us and you can pick on Gary and he can’t do a thing about it! Xoxo.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:15:AM

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Judy and Darrell Turple

Lise and family, Josh was such an inspiration to many, especially the youth.. he will truly be missed by a lot of people.. my heart goes out to all of you and will keep you all in my prayers at this difficult time. Xo

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:15:AM

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Louise and paul O;Connell

He was a great person and will be missed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:39:AM

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Lorn and Debbie Guidry

Our sincere condolences to the family. Josh will be missed by all who knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:54:AM

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Jacques LEONARD

Repose en paix mon ami. Nos sympathies à la famille et aux proches.

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