Augustine Lozier was the kind of person most people would call lucky, blessed by life. He was born in Tracadie in 1913. He grew up in a large family, united in an ideal composition for him: a son, four daughters, Augustine, four girls and one boy. He never lacked support and affection. He has never had to struggle to distinguish himself from his brothers. He was fortunate to work very young as a logger with his father. The latter also showed how to play the violin. Young people have benefited in full from the golden age of radio in learning and playing popular music of that era. Augustine knew by heart to sing the songs on guitar by Jimmy Rogers, with her sisters Alma and Rita and friends, he has regularly made people dance in the evenings.
At thirty years, his life took a turn when he noticed Rita Fortin on the ice. When he began dating one of his strengths was that he owned a car. Their two personalities were made to get along and they decided together to start a family. They had five children who have caused them concern, it is in the order of things, but they also removed a lot of satisfaction. In his portfolio, which Augustine had a photo of each project welding or carpentry, there was a picture of the five boys he liked to point out as his creations. Augustine and Rita lived in Kapuskasing Brunetville then. The cottage was built by Augustin Remi Lake was a heavenly place for their youth and later grew to three grandchildren. A memorable feat was a time or three generations of Lozier jointly mounted on skis, pulled by the same boat engine: Augustine, myself and my son Jean-Francois .. Augustine was fortunate enough to live 65 years with his wife Rita, a woman for whom he had an admiration and a boundless affection. He knew he was blessed by God to have received such a gift. Until his marriage he gave his paycheck to his mother after he gave it to Rita, whom he has always relied for financial management.
For 38 years, Augustine has worked at the paper mill. He is lucky to have landed this job as a young man and, quite quickly, he became head of machine. My father had what is now called learning difficulties, which he had difficulty reading and writing. When he was offered the position of foreman for which we felt capable, he refused because he was incompetent paperwork side. He often said he loved his job, he was happy to get up an go to work. The camaraderie, the opportunity to show his talent in solving problems, his pride in being responsible for a large paper machine to fill it. He said he spent much time dozing or talking because he knew avoid breaking the paper. When he turned thumbs the company was making money.
Augustine was recognized for his talent as a storyteller funny perfect timing. He also loved taking pictures and being photographed (he had a sense of direction). Upon retirement, he was very proud when he was asked to go participate in the installation of a paper mill in Mexico and training of workers. Like many people in retirement, Augustine and Rita have turned to leisure activities and travel. Augustine, who had never belonged to any association, was built to groups of retirees that we appreciated his skills as a handyman and his between-people. My parents went to a few winters in Florida and a dozen winters in Mexico, or they were happy to find good friends who felt Augustine as an elder who knew aging gracefully. A year before his death, Augustine and Rita spent a month in Mexico. At 94 years!
During the month of August 2008, Augustine was broken femur and his hospital stay was prolonged. We do not know why, but that the bone was healed, he never learned to walk again, but it was moving in a wheelchair. Rita went to see him every day, mostly to help him to supper. Six months in the long term care were a difficult period for him and for us, because her physical and mental health was deteriorating rapidly. There were moments of lucidity and moments with hallucinations. The last two weeks, he struggled against respiratory and communication was very difficult (he was hard of hearing and his voice was more and more off). By godsend, Rita and my brother Michael (who came to support my mother) were unable to attend his last breath. We can thank the Lord for 94 wonderful years in form and also for the relatively short time and counting down where he was accompanied by his half of dedication and support of kinship and friends.
I count myself lucky to have parents like Rita and Augustine. Their marital harmony and their lifestyle and aging gracefully are an ideal for us to find. I know my father's land is now with my heavenly Father. I know I'll see him again and that we will one day share the same life of resurrection. Without wanting to talk about core human values of my father, I want to conclude by saying that I asked for the liturgy of the Resurrection from the Gospel text is the beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. Augustine without realizing it, lived the spirit of the beatitudes.
