Rene August Cordonier passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 19,2016. Dad was born in a small village of Lens, Switzerland on April 25, 1929.
Rene spent his childhood working in the family vineyards and farmlands and in his late teens he apprenticed at a local garage and started his lifelong interest in all things mechanical. As a young man of 21, he left home on a grand adventure accompanied by his best friend Gerard Mudry.
They traveled to Canada to work with Rene’s uncle’s John and Peter ,and dads mechanical ability enabled him to operate and manage John’s portable saw mill.
While Dads physical size and language could work against him, his ability to have an arm wrestle to set the records straight never let him down.
In 1955 Rene traveled back to Switzerland and not long after that he started dating the love of his life, Josiane Praplan. Rene and Josie were married on October 2, 1957 and were married for over 58 years!!!
In 1959 ,with his wife and their newborn son Alain in tow, their Canadian adventure was renewed. Once back in Canada, the family continued to grow with the addition of François in 1960, Ernest in 1962, and then Marc in 1967. As with this, also grew new traditions of camping holidays, Swiss picnics, skiing, and annual trips to the Okanagan to pick fruit to can for the winter, enjoyed by both children and grandchildren.
No matter what else was happening in Rene’s life it was apparent that family and community were extremely important, as attested by his involvement as a leader with the cubs and scouts, president of the Swiss society, coaching and refereeing soccer, and involvement with the church.
Any errands around town typically took 2 to 3 times longer than it should as he could scarcely leave the house without running into friends or acquaintances …you never really knew Rene until you heard the words” let me put it this way “or “believe you me” as he offered you some of his advice….
Dad instilled the value of hard work as everyone was expected to pitch in and help around the house and garden. Some of the strongest lessons taught by Dad can be summed up as “you don’t always get what you want, but you do get what you need.” Work ethic and loyalty carried him well as he was a valued employee for Dairyland, delivering milk for over 30 years, and then upon his retirement he drove and maintained the school bus for Saint Ann’s Academy.
Dad eventually retired (for real this time) to pursue those activities which he loved most including skiing, gardening, choir, and volunteering at his church.
He continued to enjoy all of these activities well into his 80’s.
It is with heavy hearts but also with overwhelming Pride that we bid “adieu” to a wonderful man,,, Rene August Cordonier is survived by his loving wife, Josiane, his four children, Alain, Francois (Donna), Ernest (Teri), Marc (Cindy), seven grandchildren (Kirsten, Kelsie, Chad, Taylor, Eric, Liz and Jill) and one great grandchild (Nixon), three sisters (Jan, Bertha, Helene) and predeceased by his two brothers( Pierre and Francois)… Rene has lived a very full and productive life!!
We are truly thankful for the care of our father that Dr. Miranda Du preez administered and to all of the wonderful folks that work at Gem Stone, for their kind and genuine care of Rene.
Prayers will be recited at Holy Family Parish, 2797 Sunset Drive at
5:30 p.m. on Friday February 26, 2016.
The Funeral Mass will be in the church on Saturday February 27 at 10:30 a.m.
with the Reverend Father Fred Weisbeck Celebrant.
Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to follow.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

• Date : 2016-02-19
• Location : Kamloops, BC