Christian Laurier Emile Petit

It is with sadness the family of Christian Laurier Emile Petit announce his passing on September 1, 2024, at AgeCare Seton care home, in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 78.

Chris was born on October 20, 1945, in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, to Alfred and Heinriette Petit of St. Brieux, Saskatchewan. His early years were spent on the family farm near St. Brieux. Chris had many fond memories of his childhood home and family. A favourite companion was a dog given to him by a neighbour and whom he affectionately named “Bozo” (Chris liked the sound of the name of the famous clown Bozo). Chris was pleased when Bozo became part of the family, following Alfred out to do chores and allowed in the house to be near Heinriette, and never once sent out to sleep in the barn!

Chris was an educator and principal, teaching history and French. His love of youth and passion for teaching was observable throughout his life and into his final years. Daily, Chris would use a phrase he thought brilliant and easily utilized in a variety of discussions. Though, in the end, he could not recollect the male student’s name, the student himself and his catchy phrase of “That’s a for sure!” were never forgotten.

Chris was an independent and private, social and active man. Prior to his final two years in the Auburn Bay section of AgeCare Seton, Chris would walk for hours daily, morning and evening, routinely riding the Calgary LRT to meet up with friends for coffee and visits. His outings included travel near and far. He had a great love and fondness for his family “over the pond” and held his cousins in Europe dear to his heart; often stating what a wonderful family we are a part of and how he and they looked forward to his many trips.

One of Chris’s most treasured memories was, at the age of 16, being purchased a plane ticket to travel with his Papa to France to visit relatives in Ochancourt and Abbeville, Somme, France, and to be introduced to Paris for the first time. This memory was on “repeat” and shared every visit for the first 18 months of his stay in the residence at AgeCare.

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Heinriette Petit; siblings Jacques (died in infancy); Christine (died in infancy); Joseph (Marie) Petit; and Iris (Gordon) Hetchler.

He is survived by his sister, Gloria (Lloyd) Olson, of Melfort, Saskatchewan, along with extended family in France, Switzerland, Spain, and many nieces and nephews whom he cared so much about.

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