After a quick and tough fight with cancer, Denis passed away on May 21 st , 2026. Born in Timmins, Ontario in 1947, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Sydney L’Heureux (2025), his mother Gilberte (Vendette) (2012); stepfather Edgar Jolivet (1977); and father Exibe (Larry) L’Heureux (1949), all from Timmins, ON. His wife of over 50 years, Kate (Kathleen) Magill, treasured his kind heart above all else. His sons Clayton (Amber-Lynn) from Ottawa and Travis from Thunder Bay will miss the life lessons he kept sharing about enjoying life and fixing things around the house. His grandchildren Emily Hunt (Daniel), Hailey, Nathan, Rileigh St-Pierre, Azalia and Aria will remember his jokes, teasing, and the sneaky money he loved to slip them. His sister Lorraine Gauthier of Timmins/Ottawa shared a special sibling bond with him. The many nieces and nephews on both sides always enjoyed his laughter, love for cards, and fishing tips. Nieces Carole Gauthier-Rogers (Dave) of Whitehorse, Yukon; Lynn Gauthier-Belanger (Luc) of Ottawa; nephew Marc Gauthier of Porquis Junction, ON stayed close and cared for him deeply. Nephew Jason Magill (Yolanda Wanakamik) of Thunder Bay along with sons Lucas and Isaac were constant sources of support through laughs and hockey rides. There won’t be any more wine tastings with sister-in-law Reeni Magill from Edmonton or fishing trips with brothers-in-law Leonard Magill (Shelly) of Tillsonburg or Chris Magill (Gina) of Stoney Creek. He’ll no longer challenge longtime friends Joy Neill and Darcy Lehtonen from Armstrong to Euchre matches. He won’t be laughing through Newfie Poker games anymore with Paul Bourre and Denise Shepherd from Alban while sipping red wine. None of us will play cards without remembering his laugh and playful smack talk about what card would come next. Steve Roberge from Armstrong/Sudbury will miss those trips to “hot spots” on Caribou Lake where they’d compete to catch the biggest pickerel or most fish.
As a young guy he headed to Whitehorse around 1967. He got a mining job but quit quickly – often saying “If God wanted me to work in a mine he would have put a light in my forehead.” He bounced between jobs like plumbing, drywalling, painting, carpentry plus some electrical work before running a taxi business there. That’s where he met Kate; they married soon after and started their family with two boys. Fishing and hunting trips along the Yukon River with best friend Bob James gave him pure joy like it was Christmas morning.
He talked his way into being a driller’s helper doing exploration work then earned his drilling qualifications. From freezing cold places to scorching heat spots across Canada-while mosquitoes and black flies tried hard to stop him-he worked wherever needed. Some sites were easier than others but sometimes he had to climb glaciers that shifted as he drilled using special gear. Denis knew how to load slings right and worked well with helicopter pilots moving equipment around – that skill was highly valued because setting up rigs is hard physical labor needing someone strong.
The family moved to Greater Sudbury in 1984 for work until 1995 when Denis and Kate took over running a fishing lodge up north in NW Ontario…finally living out one of his dreams! Being outdoors hunting/fishing on the water thrilled him endlessly; honestly he owned way more rods & tackle than most men should.
After briefly going back to Whitehorse they returned home due to family health reasons settling in Thunder Bay where Denis lived for the last two decades plus one year – 21 years total actually! He worked at Red River Holdings managing apartments at Edward St Apartments for ten years before retiring in 2016. He really respected Tullio & Tony Provenzano but especially liked haggling deals with Peter Buffone.
If someone needed help or asked for it you could count on Denis stepping up – snow removal was one thing he nailed whether shoveling by hand or using the blower himself for hours clearing neighbors’ driveways too while asking them nicely move cars so ice could be chipped off safely because slipping wasn’t an option here! When garbage cans blew around during windy days he’d gather them all then knock doors till owners claimed their bins back home again safely tucked away each night throughout winter months too! In summers he’d dabble at gardening which turned out pretty decent considering he’s just an amateur trying stuff out.
He enjoyed good red wine paired with pasta meals plus even won chili cook-offs so kitchen skills weren’t foreign territory either! Card games brought tons laughter: euchre/shanghai/crib/Newfie poker-back when younger sometimes winning/losing small bets among friends as well. Even playing pool was something special – despite having only one eye left sharp cue skills made him tough competition beating many at eight-ball/snooker alike. But nothing beat spending time surrounded by family-the wife & kids especially , grandkids , sister , nieces/nephews , close pals. Life was full – packed full – adventures/excitement/close calls/road trips/laughter shared alongside those who mattered most deeply.
A private goodbye ceremony will take place later attended by family members & close friends only.
If you want you can send donations honoring him either directly towards The Dew Drop In center , Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA), or any local food bank near your area since he truly understood how important it is having enough food day-to-day keeping people going strong.
Simpler Times Cremation Centre located at 575 Central Avenue Thunder Bay handled arrangements professionally.
Please feel free signing condolences online via everestofthunderbay. com
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