Jean Ferdinand Digras
1931-2015
Jean left this world on Monday, April 13th 2015, when his very weak heart stopped beating.
He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Sandi; son, Eric; daughters, Karen and Shelley; granddaughter, Laila; sister, Madelene Digras Dreano and our wonderful family and friends in France, the United States, Canada and throughout the world.
Jean was born in Brittany, France and has lived and worked as a professor of English and French in Saigon, a French diplomat in Addas Abba, Chicago and Ottawa where he changed direction and worked as a translator and editor. Jean and Sandi retired to Parksville in 2005.
Known by his doctors as the “Duracell Man” for surviving many life challenging illnesses, he was one of the first at the Ottawa Heart Institute and again for by-pass surgery on their 25th anniversary.
The family is grateful to the medical support of Doctor Hector Baillie and his team at the Heart Function Clinic in the Nanamio Hospital who have kept Jean going since his arrival on Vancouver Island. They also thank Dr. Marlene Van De Wayde and her nursing team.
Throughout his life, Jean has always loved sports and after playing soccer and tennis he took up golf. He enjoyed the friendship of his fellow duffers at Qualicum Memoral Golf Course and the men’s group at Brigadoon Golf Course. He extends special ‘thanks” to Doug Pickard of Runfluid for keeping him on his feet and motivated even when he was in his final months of life.
Jean’s favourite song was A WONDERFUL WORLD and his feeling about his life is summed up in the last stanza…”and I think to myself what a wonderful world.”
It’s been a long goodbye darling but you are now at rest.
God Bless you from your wife, family, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Jean’s honour from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Friday, April 24th at the Qualicum Beach Inn, 2690 Island Highway West, in Qualicum Beach, BC.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM (250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.