Friends, family, hockey players and the Bonnyville community celebrate Victor Ringuette’s life

Victor Ringuette was laid to rest Saturday, but not before he made one last stop to check on the trucks in the B&R Eckel’s yard before being taken to his final resting place at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Cemetery.

As the hearse left the yard, the sound of air horns from the B&R Eckel trucks echoed in the frosty air to pay one last respect to a dearly loved community member and boss.

The entire Lakeland has been mourning the loss of Ringuette who passed away at the age of 83-years-old on Nov. 8.

On Saturday, November 20,  the funeral procession made its way through downtown Bonnyville in honour of the great community member lead by the Bonnyville RCMP.

Hockey players lined the the streets on main street to pay their respects to Ringuette. Ringuette supported many of our community groups throughout the years. One of those groups in the Bonnyville Pontiacs hockey team. The players took part in the service and gave Victor a well deserved stick tap as he was loaded into the awaiting hearse.

Rick Swan is the Head Coach and General Manager for the Pontiacs.

“We were so grateful, so honored, and so privileged that we were asked by the family to be involved in such a tribute to such an amazing man,” Swan told Lakeland Connect. “Not only in our community, but just a real role model for everybody. And as we were listening to the service today, one of the most important quotes that was mentioned was, ‘To give more to the world than the world gives back to you.’ That’s the definition of a true success. And it couldn’t be more fitting for somebody that’s made such a positive impact not only in the Bonnyville Pontiacs, but so many people in the Lakeland area and who knows he was such a humble man, it could be far reaching beyond what any of us could even fathom but he is the Bonnyville Pontiacs, he is our franchise.”

Swan says Victor made such a massive impression on our town and the organization.

“We all were overwhelmed and humbled by just what he’s accomplished in his life. And it’s not so much for himself, but it’s for what he’s done for other people,” Swan said. “I noticed as we were coming out and we were part of the honor guard, we were given stick taps as a hockey team. As all I could do is look over to Derek and Neil and and we’re all watering from our eyes just because it was overwhelming just to see such a beautiful service put on by the family and for us to be a part of it.”

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have” – Hebrews 13:16

The Lakeland will forever cherish his legacy.

Rest in Peace Victor Ringuette, our community will never forget you.

-With files from Michael Menzies