Rhéal Éloi Joseph Lessard

In loving memory of Rhéal Éloi Joseph Lessard, who passed away peacefully at the age of 65 with his children at his side on October 10, 2025 at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Éloi and Dorothée, his brother Hector, and his sister Monique.

Rhéal will be lovingly remembered by his son, Joel (Stephanie) and family, his daughter, Nicole, his brothers, Jacques (Sherryl) and Jean (Maureen), his sister Carole (Denis), his brother-in-law Brian (Judy), his friend Guy (Moira), and many others.

Rhéal was born in 1959 on a small farm near St Anne, Manitoba where he grew up surrounded by a large, loving family. He left home to work construction and study political sciences, whereafter he had a long career as a civil servant with the Federal Government. Rhéal loved spending time with friends and family, traveling, being outdoors, playing baseball, golf, and hockey, reading, gaming, and enjoying life. He was passionate about his country, politics, history, technology, the future, adventure, and the unknown. Rhéal was a proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation and a promoter of francophone and Métis culture.

A celebration of life will be held with family and friends at a later date.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of the regional palliative care team and the medical staff at Bethesda hospital for their exceptional and compassionate care of Rhéal. Special thanks go out to all the loving friends and family that visited him during his final days and for making his heart so full.

If family and friends wish to honor Rhéal’s memory, charitable donations can be made to the Louis Riel Institute (post-secondary bursaries and awards) and the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.