Maurice “Moe” Lucien Mareschal

13 January 1939 – 03 May 2025

Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our husband, Dad and Grandpa, Maurice Mareschal at the age of 86.

Born the eldest child of Robert and Marguerite (Normand) Mareschal, Moe grew up in Domremy, SK with his siblings and a large extended family.  He had so many stories of adventures and mischief from his childhood.  Moe was involved in the Boy Scouts and sports as a child, which developed into a lifelong love of the outdoors, play and fun.

Immediately following high school, Moe enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957.  His service spanned five years as a Communications Technician and included a United Nations Peacekeeping deployment to the Congo in Africa.  Moe continued his service as a member of the military reserves with the North Saskatchewan Regiment in Prince Albert from 1974 to 1979, where he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.  He also became a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

During his time in the RCAF, Moe married his sweetheart, Margaret Bakke of Birch Hills, in 1961.  Marg had begun a career as a teacher while Moe was in service, and following his discharge in 1962, he followed in her footsteps.  They both later attended the University of Saskatchewan, where Moe obtained his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees.

In 1968, Moe and Marg moved to Birch Hills where he took a full-time teaching position at the high school.  Thus, the legend of Mr. Mareschal – Biology and French teacher, basketball coach, backpacking club advisor – began.  His love of teaching was an expression of his personality and individuality.  He was unforgettable to the kids he taught and became a friend and mentor to many of them.  Everyone has a story about Mr. Mareschal.  Moe retired from Birch Hills High School in 1994.

Also, in 1968, Moe and Marg welcomed their first daughter, Melissa, and their second, Maraleen, in 1971.  He was a great dad – caring, funny, full of stories and adventures.  Moe’s greatest joy was his family and he showed us uncompromising love throughout his life.  His son-in-law, Joel, joined the family in 1995 and the real treasures of Moe’s life, his grandchildren began to arrive.  Josh, Mason, Jessica and Darian were benefited by Grandpa Moe’s humor, mischief, and heart full of love.  Being a grandpa came naturally to Moe, as did his silliness and willingness to play.  So many new adventures!

He and Marg loved to travel and took advantage of retirement to see the world.  They visited Europe, the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and travelled Canada coast to coast.  Many of those trips revolved around the opportunity to “go birding”.  Moe was a passionate and devoted birder for his entire life.  Many of his closest friends shared the same birding obsession and they could talk for hours about their “life lists”.

Dad was the smartest man we knew, a lifelong learner and voracious reader, and always passionate about what he loved and believed in.  We will love you forever and miss you longer.

In memory of Moe, find a quiet spot in the woods, listen to the birds and enjoy the beauty of nature.  He will be there too.

 

Moe is survived by:

His wife of 64 years, Marg

His daughter, Melissa and her husband Joel Carrier

His daughter, Mara and her partner Joe Lepine

His grandchildren: Joshua Carrier and his partner Jessica, Mason Mareschal, Jessica Carrier and her partner Cam, Darian Mareschal

His brother Raymond Mareschal, sister Collette Cramer, brother Leo Mareschal, brother Jerry Mareschal, sister Jocelyn Burlack and all their families.

His close family friends: Elaine Lozinski and her family, Don Weidl, Terry Toews, Marilyn Smith and so many more

His large extended family of cousins and in-laws, his friends and former colleagues, his former students, and all the birders

 

Thank you to the staff on Level 6 at Victoria Hospital, at Nelson Care Home and at Birchview Home in Birch Hills for your care and compassion through the last two years.

A Celebration of Moe’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Birch Hills Civic Centre, 126 McCallum Avenue, Birch Hills, SK.

Family and friends may leave online condolences at: https://grays.ca

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729, Mary MacWilliams, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2025-05-03
• Location : Birch Hills, SK