It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Maynard Joseph Ducharme, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Beaverlodge, AB, on Friday, January 8, 2021, at the age of 94 years.

Maynard was born on the homestead near Elmworth, AB, in a log cabin, on April 8, 1926. He attended school in Elmworth. In 1947, Maynard met Lorraine Ray, and they were married on May 7, 1953, in Grande Prairie. They were married for 66 happy years before Lorraine’s passing in 2019.

Maynard was a hard worker all his life, earning a living for his family by farming and operating a custom hauling business, as well as working at Tartan Ford in Beaverlodge. The most memorable thing about him was his love for children. At gatherings of family and friends, he was the biggest kid of all. His face was a common sight at all the activities of his children, grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. Whether it was dance, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, rodeo, swimming, volleyball, baseball, fastball, downhill skiing or motocross, he was always there to cheer. After learning to downhill ski later in his life, he taught most of his grandchildren to ski with a rope tether around their waists. Maynard loved horses from a young age and enjoyed volunteering for many years at the Rio Grande Rodeo, and at 92, still enjoyed a good gallop around on Rocky. He was a practical joker with a great sense of humour and loved visiting and swapping stories. He had a great love of camping, fishing and the outdoors. After Lorraine’s passing, Maynard found solace in music, often tuning in to a country channel on TV, playing his harmonica and his guitar, and whistling wherever he was; whatever he was doing, he was whistling. Maynard was an avid cribbage player, playing nightly with his friends at Prairie Lake. He also got pleasure from his adventures driving and exploring the country with his friends, right until the time of his passing.

Maynard is survived by his children: Debbie Isley, Carey (Barry) Nichol, and Monty (Debbie) Ducharme; grandchildren: Crystal (Dean) Watson, Rylie Nichol (Glenn Taylor), Colby Nichol, Miranda Ducharme (Blake Hamilton), Christopher Ducharme (Meghan Dalziel), and Kai Ducharme; great-grandchildren: Hayley Watson, Jayden Watson, Kyler Watson, Adalyn Taylor, Lily Taylor, Isaac Taylor, Coen Taylor, Cali Marshall, and Ryder Rogg; sisters in-law Joan (Charles) Dupuis and Irene Ray; brother in-law Merle Harding; niece Carol (Frank) Day; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Maynard was predeceased by his wife Lorraine; parents Jack and Annie Ducharme; sister Marie Lossing; parents in-law Jack and Gladys Ray; sister in-law Donna Harding; brothers in-law Delbert Ray and Lloyd Ray; nephew Lane Lossing and niece Ray Dupuis.

At Maynard’s request, no funeral will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring, and his ashes will be laid to rest with Lorraine’s at the Halcourt Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation (Box 480, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0), or to the Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society (#204, 10134 97 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7X6).