RABU, Jean “Marcel”
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean “Marcel” Rabu. He was born April 29, 1918 in Rennes, Brittany, France and passed away peacefully with family at his side on March 3, 2005 in Nanaimo, BC. He was the eldest of 7 children. He will be forever loved and immensely missed by his wife and soul mate of 67 years Louise Rabu. He leaves behind children Michel Rabu, Lily Brennan and Joelle Rabu, grandchildren: Daniel Rabu, Rachel Diamont, Yanik Allard, Nicole Ronse, Patrick Brennan, Jace and Nico Rhodes as well as great-grandchildren: Gabrielle, Adrien and Alexandre, Joshua and Dominique, Tyler and Nathan, Lauren, Sasha, Alexander and Luca. Marcel was a prisoner of war (Silesia, Dunkirk) and a member of the French Resistance during World War II. Hairdresser by trade, he moved his family from France after the war to live in Australia for 9 years. Immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1958, set up 7 hairstyling salons “Marcel the French Salon”. He was a great supporter of the Winnipeg arts and cultural scene (Rainbow Stage, RWB, Hadassah). In 1971, moved to Courtenay, BC and built the “little” Gourmet Restaurant, followed by the Gourmet Sea Restaurant (1975), in Oyster Bay which is now in its third generation of family ownership. Member of the Courtenay Kiwanis and Nanaimo Legion-Seaview Branch. He enjoyed a passion for the outdoors, the culinary arts, music and circus, having been an acrobat as an adolescent. Known and respected by so many for his integrity, great sense of justice, hospitality, generosity and joie divivre. Remembered by many as a colourful, larger than life character who loved good jokes and good food. Please join the family for a Celebration of Marcel’s life to be held at the Gourmet by the Sea Restaurant in Oyster Bay on Sunday March 13th at 1:00 PM