Marcel Joseph Desbiens

In Loving Memory of Marcel Joseph Desbiens
On April 24th, 2025, Marcel left this world peacefully in his 85th year, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on May 1st, 1940, in Blind River, Marcel lived a life full of love and laughter. He worked as an orderly for over 30 years in Sturgeon Falls and North Bay, spending his last 25 years at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in North Bay.

It was there that he met his wife, Gayl (née Cook). They were married in 1978 and welcomed their son, Ryan, a few years later.

To know Marcel was to know the meaning of kindness. He truly was a special man who always put the needs of others before his own. To many of his nieces and nephews, he was known as “the favourite uncle.” He was a devout Catholic and attended mass regularly. Marcel loved playing cards, reading, watching professional wrestling, and taking his daily walks to Sobeys or Pinehill Coffee Shop.
Marcel also loved to laugh. Affectionately known by his family and friends as “aguissable” — a French-Canadian slang term meaning someone who is teasing, mischievous, or playfully annoying — he was quite the prankster, known for his practical jokes and jump scares, something to which his former co-workers can certainly attest.

Marcel’s greatest joy was his family. In particular, he adored his three grandchildren — Mathieu, Maxime, and Mason. He cherished his time with them, taking them regularly to the Heritage Railway at the Waterfront and Dairy Queen when they were younger, and later out for lunch or supper at Pinehill, Twiggs, or Burger World. Even during the last few difficult months of his life, the sight of his grandkids — “his buddies,” as he called them — always lifted his spirits.
Marcel is dearly missed by Gayl, his wife of 46 years; his son, Ryan; his daughter-in-law, Amanda; “his buddies” Mathieu, Maxime, and Mason; his close friends and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is welcomed into peace by his parents, Rhéa and Adalbert; his brothers, Albert, Paul, René (Dex), George, and Donald; his sisters, Thérèse and Jacqueline; and his best friend, Doug.

As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and no visitation will occur.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in North Bay.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to One Kids Place or St. Peter’s the Apostle Church in Marcel’s name.

“The more ready you are to give yourself to God and to others, the more you discover the authentic meaning of life.” — Pope Jean-Paul II