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About Léo

Léo, fifth child of local pioneers Oscar Amyotte and Diana Dionne, was born in Mallaig on October 10, 1924. He attended Grassy Island School until 1941 completing grade eleven.  He continued to farm with his father and brothers until 1948 when he married Annette Bélanger, daughter of Alfred Bélanger and Marie-Anne Doucet, on July 27.

Annette, the first of six surviving children, was born in Thérien on December 20, 1930. She attended school in Thérien from 1936-1942 then moved to Fremont School until 1944 when her family moved to New Westminster, British Columbia. In 1947, she returned to Mallaig to work for her cousin, Bernadette Doucet.

After their marriage, they settled on their quarter section two miles north of Mallaig where they farmed for eleven years. Interested in becoming progressive farmers, Léo and Annette joined the “Farm and Home Group” to study budgeting, soil management and other aspects of agriculture. As a result, they realized they needed more land to develop a viable enterprise to support their growing family. Consequently, in 1959, they purchased Philibert Carle’s farm two miles north of Thérien where they lived for 42 years. In 1973, Arthur returned to the family farm with his wife Monique Viel to establish a partnership with his father. In 1999, they sold the farmland and Léo and Annette continued to live on the home site until 2001 when they relocated to St. Paul. Their new home was closer to all amenities and they adapted well to the St. Paul community.

Throughout their years together, Léo and Annette enjoyed horticulture maintaining a vegetable garden and developing a well manicured yard based on a professional landscape plan. During retirement years Léo continued his woodworking projects and Annette knits slippers and crochets afghans for family members.

Being a productive member of the community was of utmost importance to Léo. He served in various capacities as a member of the Bonnyville Service Board, Knights of Columbus, and Thérien School Board to mention a few. His keen interest in current events and his staunch political loyalty to Jean Chrétien and Pierre Trudeau were often the subject of intense discussions with family members. His deep faith and his pride in his cultural heritage motivated him to work relentlessly to acquire a bus to École Mallaig School so his children and others in the community could benefit from a French Catholic education.

Due to Léo’s failing health, they moved to Sunnyside Manor in 2009. Again they accepted the new routine. Léo found new card playing partners and Annette continued to be Léo’s prime caregiver and shortly thereafter, undertook looking after the Manor’s library and got involved with the organization of the flower beds each spring.

On June 19, 2013, Léo passed away peacefully. Annette continues to live at Sunnyside Manor visiting her children and traveling whenever the opportunity arises.

Léo and Annette were always proud of their family of 11 children, 38 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. That in itself and almost 65 years of married life is quite an accomplishment.

• Jeanne (1949) married Raymond Boutin
• George (1950) married Simone Joly
• Arthur (1951) married Monique Viel
• Michel (1955) married Louise Brousseau
• Angèle (1957) married Ron Ternovoy
• Françoise (1958) married Ken Ternovoy
• Marriette (1959) married Edward Huot
• Pauline (1964) married Tony Dechaine
• Doris (1966) married Dale Christensen
• Diane (1967) married Wayne Stanley
• Alain (1968) married Kimberly Hills

In 2021, we commissioned a study of the genealogy of the family for Leo and Annette.  This extensive study shows the full lineage of our ancestors over 14 generations and 411 years in Canada. A couple of the interesting points from the report include:

• to be completed

The full report in french can be found here: Family geneology study.