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COOL, Rheal Joseph Edouard

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Passed away peacefully at home in Goulais River on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

Survived by his wife Patti Anne Cool (nee Goodfellow), his sons Grant, Marc, and Kevin Cool, respectively of Victoria, Winnipeg and Timmins and the mother of the boys, Karin Cool, of Newmarket Ontario.  Rheal was stepfather to Jay-D McLean (Patti’s son) and had many grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved him so much.

He was also pre-deceased by his parents Blanche and Fred, and siblings Lena, Rolly, Lucien and Marcel.

Rheal is known in the Moosonee and James Bay area as a pioneer of the winter road, shipping, and fuel industries through Moosonee Transportation Limited (MTL) and related companies. He will be dearly missed by so many friends who truly became his extended family while running these companies for many decades. 

Among his many accomplishments and contributions to the Moosonee community, he was elected Chair of the Moosonee Development Area board in the 1970s and was later elected as the first Mayor of the Town of Moosonee in 2000.  He sat on community, business, government and association boards too numerous to list. 

A graduate of Timmins High and the Ontario Forest Ranger School, he worked variously as a conservation officer, prospector, firefighter, bush pilot, airport manager, Justice of the Peace, and was the first commercial operator of hovercraft in Canada.

Through the years, Rheal also owned or co-owned an eclectic range of businesses including hunting camps, recreational equipment dealership, various retail, and service businesses, and more.

Dad, Grandpa Rhea was a punster, practical joker, dispenser of useful wisdom, sound advisor and trusted friend to all he touched in his life. He was considerate, generous, and a careful listener who always made time for those he loved. He will be deeply missed.

As per Rheal’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will include sprinkling of ashes in the James Bay area, which will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted through O’Sullivan Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, 705-759-8456.

 


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