Alphonse Charles Cossette June 25, 1921 - December 12, 2012 Alphonse Charles Cossette, born in 1921, lived his entire life in the Estevan area. His early years were spent on his parent's farm. At the age of 21, he joined the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) beginning in Regina. He was then sent for training to the Toronto Depot, then to Trenton, followed by Winnipeg, Estevan and Prince Rupert. In 1946, Alphonse married Christina Leptich and they lived in Estevan during their 66 years of marriage. After his career in the Air Force, Alphonse worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in many different roles for over 30 years. Additionally, he worked in his spare time as a painter. He loved to work and especially enjoyed working outdoors. His gardening work was second to none and he even managed to grow grapes! The assistance of his wife was instrumental in the success of this grape growing. Alphonse will best be remembered for the stand of trees that he planted and nurtured along the south side of First Street in the 1500 block of Estevan. He would collect rain water in barrels ("it is the best to use", he would say) and daily carried this water in pails to keep the trees well supplied. These trees now flourish on their own, a lasting memorial to a man who loved to make an environmental difference. Forever cherished in his family's hearts, Alphonse is survived by his wife Christina of Estevan; his children, Bernard (Diana) of Calgary, Ronan of Estevan, Celeste (Clayton) of Calgary, Armand (Nancy) of Ottawa, and Maureen (Dennis) of Nipawin; as well as 19 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephew, and in-laws. A prayer service was held on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. A funeral mass was celebrated on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Estevan, by Rev. Juanito Vargas. Interment followed in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan. Those wishing to make memorial donations in Alphonse's memory may do so directly to the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home, 1201 - 2nd Street, Estevan, Sask., S4A 0M1. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. "The just perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and men of mercy are taken away, because there is none that understandeth; for the just man is taken away from before the face of evil. Let peace come, let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his uprightness." - Isaiah 57: 1-2
