Victor Louis Tétreault: Educator, Mentor, Gardener, Papa. Born Oct. 17, 1937, in Capasin, Sask.; died April 23, 2024 in Regina, from Alzheimer’s disease; aged 86.
Victor TétreaultCourtesy of family
Victor’s ancestors came to Canada from France in 1662. He was born into a family of 13 children and grew up on a farm in Northern Saskatchewan. He was a great learner, with a curious mind and dreamed of a different life. So, he set off to become a priest, studying with the Oblates for a couple of years, before deciding that his true calling was to be a teacher. He taught high school French and mathematics, then moved on to the Department of Education in Saskatchewan. Victor’s French background was important to him and he devoted his career to French education, helping oversee the development of immersion schools, French language exchange and monitor programs and French curriculum.
Victor’s friend and fellow teacher, Neil, invited him over for dinner one night and introduced Victor to his little sister, Loretta Webber. Victor conveniently forgot his hat at their place and, when he went back to pick it up, initiated a love affair that would last the next 60 years and bring four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In the early 1970s, Victor and Loretta packed up their young family (Michelle, Darcy, Myron and Monique were all under the age of 8) and went to the South of France so he could study a License es Lettres. This Arts program would be his third degree. Once the year of studies was finished, they travelled across Europe camping in a tent for two months before returning to Calgary and eventually settling in Regina.
Victor was an active and engaged father. When his kids started competitive swimming he volunteered and eventually became a master official. When they started playing water polo, he again volunteered and eventually became the president of Water Polo Canada.
Victor loved the outdoors. He would take his children, their cousins and friends fishing for a couple of days in northern Saskatchewan. Fish were more easily caught near the shore but Victor preferred to take the row boat out to the middle of the lake for a while, “to go for the big ones,” he’d say. Looking back, his family suspects it was really done so they wouldn’t catch anything and he’d have a chance to smoke his pipe a bit.
Victor, dubbed Papa by his granddaughter, became “Super Papa” when his great-grandchildren arrived. In addition to core values, he taught them not to sweat the small stuff. And, that farts are funny.
Victor also passed on his lifelong love of learning to his family: All his children earned university degrees and speak two languages, he encouraged Loretta to go back to school to become a teacher and speech pathologist. Later in his own career, he obtained a Masters in Education from the University of Ottawa. He learned some Spanish and Mandarin, pursued cooking classes and became a life master in bridge.
In retirement, Victor became a legendary urban gardener in Regina. Tomatoes were his specialty and he grew amazing beefsteak tomatoes. He also grew a mean crop of carrots, peaches & cream corn, beets, onions and potatoes. However, the gardening was mostly an excuse to spend time with family, and to mentor new Canadians he met through his church, about life in Canada.
Victor skied regularly and went to the gym. He also exercised his mind by reading, playing bridge and involving himself in community activities.
Victor and Loretta travelled to dozens of countries across five continents. When he was in his 70s, Victor visited Nepal with his son for the opening of a school built in his and Loretta’s honour, and they hiked up to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m).
In his 80s, Victor became ill with Alzheimer’s disease The final months were tough but his life was full, meaningful and well-lived. Super Papa lives on in the memories of the many people whose lives he touched.
Myron Tétreault is Victor’s son.
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