Obituary of Emile Joseph Boulet

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father, grandfather and great grandfather Emile (Slim) Joseph Boulet at the age of 97, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Emile is pre-deceased by his wife Elsie (1921-2017) and his 11 siblings. He is survived by his 4 children: Gwen (Don Roberts) of Gibsons, BC, Doug (Jeanine) of North Delta, BC, Claudette (Valdu Onnis) of Longlac, ON and Gerald (Marilou Manning) of Dartmouth NS; 8 grandchildren: Ty Roberts (Kellianne), Wade Roberts (Jeri), Jackie (Ryan Dance), Paul Boulet, Tonya (Travis Anton), Angie (Marco Goulet), Adrien Boulet and Solenne Boulet, and 10 great-grandchildren: Quinn, Slade and Rhys Roberts; Alex and Noah Goulet; Jakob and Carter Anton; Marissa and Kylie Dance and Amelia Roberts.

Emile married Elsie Goethals on June 30, 1943 in Swan Lake Manitoba. The young couple farmed and later managed the agricultural co-operative in Somerset. When Trans Canada Pipeline began construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alberta to eastern Canada in the mid fifties they decided to embark on a new venture and followed the construction project to northern Ontario and eventually settled in Geraldton, Ontario. Emile worked at the pipeline compressor station there for 15 years. During this time Elsie operated a restaurant in Geraldton, with Emile helping out on weekends and evenings.

In 1969 they purchased a travel trailer and discovered KOA campgrounds. The opportunity to purchase a franchise appealed to their entrepreneurial spirit. At the age of 52 Emile left a secure job and they acquired a beautiful, hardwood covered property on the Fifth Line, next to the Root River, in Sault Ste. Marie. Armed with a chainsaw and bulldozer Emile began clearing maple trees, being careful to keep enough canopy to ensure the campground retained a natural feeling. Their campground won many awards and accolades and was always a busy place. Emile and Elsie operated this business themselves for almost twenty years. 

In 1987 they sold the campground and retired to their home on the Fifth Line. Emile’s love of the sun and warm weather took them to south Florida in the winter months where they eventually purchased a second home in Punta Gorda. In their early nineties they moved to Collegiate Heights, in Sault Ste. Marie.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Road, 705-945-7758) on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Memorial donations to the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) would be appreciated by the family.