Airline mechanic, community activist.
Born at Saltel on 30 May 1923 to Beatrice Goyet (1906-1971) and Medard “Case” Frederic Mourant (1896-1971), he grew up on a farm at Rosewood, attending Arondale School and then Holy Cross School at St. Boniface. His many aunts and uncles on both sides helped raise him, and numerous cousins remember him as a part-time brother. He left school in 1939 to drive a truck in the Rosewood area for his uncle Eugene Mourant’s milk-hauling business. In 1941 he began basic mechanical training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and enlisted in 1942, serving with the Winter Experimental Squadron, based in Gimli. In 1945, he married Emma Weinbender (1930-2013) and they went on to have three children.
Discharged from the military in 1946, he joined the City of Winnipeg Reserve Squadron 402 in 1947 and the Royal Canadian Legion, Belgian Veterans Branch 107. He began working as an aircraft mechanic for Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada) in 1951. In 1965, the family moved to Montreal where he had accepted a work transfer to the Dorval Base. Three years later, he was offered an Aircraft Maintenance Instructor position, and using his early RCAF training in Gimli and his Air Canada experience in Winnipeg, he designed a course for maintenance in cold weather conditions. While in Montreal, he joined the Strathmore No. 10 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and he and his wife enjoyed an active social life that revolved around their love of dancing.
In 1980, he retired from his career with airlines, and moved back to Winnipeg, where he took a part-time role as handyman at the Holt Renfrew store on Portage Avenue and as a fitness instructor at the South Family YMCA. Meanwhile he continued his involvement with the Belgian Vets Legion Branch 107 and St. Vital United Church, serving in many capacities over the years.
Upon moving to Fred Douglas Place, a retirement community in Winnipeg, he designed and led fitness classes for seniors and taught line-dancing routines. In retirement he and his wife continued to attend dances whenever possible at various venues, as well as being regulars at Sunday afternoon horse races at Assiniboia Downs. Because of his wife Emma’s vision difficulties, he did volunteer work for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), which often included dancing.
For his dedicated service to the Royal Canadian Legion, he was awarded its highest honour in 1997, the Meritorious Service Medal. He received a Lifetime Membership with the 402 Squadron Association in January 2006. Also in 2006, the Honourable Greg Thompson presented him with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
He died at Winnipeg on 6 April 2007.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 11 April 2007.
Obituary [Emma Mourant], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 February, 2013.
Medard “Case” Frederic Mourant,” Charlene Baert’s Family Tree, Ancestry.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 8 October 2024
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