ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, André Ouellet, 71 years old, born on June 23, 1949, and passed away on March 8, 2021. We will remember him forever.

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn”.
John Muir, 1898



June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021
The following was read at a family memorial for Andre on June 6, 2021. It was written by brother-in-law, Skip Shannon:

Andre and I spent a lot of time together. Mostly outdoors driving and hiking these mountains and valleys - especially around the Kern Valley and up into the Eastern Sierras. Lots of time hunting with shotguns and bird dogs. He never learned to shoot very well, but he loved being out doing it. He was game for any kind of challenge

We both loved music and did a lot of partying too. We weren’t always the best influence on each other but managed to stay out of trouble. Andre was unique and had his own take on the situation. We disagreed on some things but remained friends for almost 50 years that I’ve been married to Renee (his sister). He was the best man at our wedding. Through it all, good and bad, I think we had a mutual love for one another.

It was tough on Andre and the family to see him lose his health over the last few years. He was blessed to have his sister, Jacquie, by his side for better or worse, going above and beyond taking care of her brother. The family owes Jacquie a lot for all she did for him.

Sorry I couldn’t make it here with you all. Even though Andre and I are not there, we’re in one spirit and Andre is at peace in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was a blessing to hear Andre say he “Loved Jesus” before he passed. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”, John 3:16. That promise gives me hope that I will see him again.

Hi to everyone, love and may God bless you all,
Skip.
April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
First an introduction: Andre and I were first cousins, born less than a year apart. Andre's dad, Al and my Dad were brothers. Al was born in 1921, my dad in 1925. I lost track of Andre around our teenage years so most of what I remember is from when we were kids. Since that was 60+ years ago, most of it is kind of vague, bits and pieces. 

My family grew up in Whittier. Most Sundays we'd go to church, then load everybody into the car and head over our grandparents. I remember their home at Figueroa and 109th Place in South Central LA, where Dad and Al grew up.  I can't really tell if the old place is still there; everything in that neighborhood is fenced off and barricaded.  It was always fun when Andre came over or when we went to visit at Al & Rita's apartments on Hoover. Andre and I were, ummm, not quiet and well-behaved little boys when by ourselves and even less so when we got together. 

Sunday afternoons at my grandparents were pretty boring. We'd watch Victory at Sea (Navy documentaries about how they won the war) and John Wayne movies (about HE won the war).  So, primed by war movies, whenever Al would come over, we'd excitedly ask him "how many Japs he killed." He'd just laugh and never answer.  Years later I realized how grossly inappropriate that question was, in so many ways. 

I think my favorite story about Andre is one that I only heard.  Al used to take Andre to see horror movies, even when he was little.  (My parents didn't approve – they said Andre would wake up with nightmares).  But at one horror movie, in the middle of a very tense scene, Andre suddenly announced – loudly – "Dad, I shit my pants." You could say it broke the mood in the movie theater. 

When our grandmother, Annie Ouellet, died, the funeral was held in Whittier, where she and Grandpa had moved around the mid-1960s. The burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery (in the Holy Family section), the same West L.A. cemetery where Al and Rita are buried.  For the long ride from the church to the cemetery, there was a hearse carrying her coffin and two limos. I assume our parents were in the first limo. I know the grandkids piled into the 2nd limo. On the 20 mile drive out to the cemetery, our limo developed engine overheating problems and eventually seized and broke down right outside the cemetery. We walked the last hundred yards or so. 

Somehow, along the way in that rattling, overheating limo, we started joking and the ride soon turned into a riot of laughter and story-telling. We arrived at the burial still laughing and giggling, which garnered some disapproving looks from everybody else gathered around the grave. 

I went to Al's funeral years ago and was stunned to see how much memorabilia there was from his time in the Marines in the Pacific.  Those years had to be the absolute worst time of his life. And yet . . .  
To get an idea of the feel and smell of the war in the Pacific for the grunts and groundpounders, I can't recommend a better book than "With the Old Breed" by E.B. Sledge.

* ** *

By way of catching everybody up with our side of the family, my older brother Larry spent a career as a research professor at the University of Illinois – Chicago, directing a research project on HIV transmission among IV drug abusers. He's now a retired professor emeritus and still looks like a hippie. And he's got some great stories to tell. 

My sister, Carol, is a retired nurse living in Sacramento with her husband, Robert, and her daughter Josina's husband and two kids. Carol got married around 1973 in the back of a saloon in Nevada so she and Robert could qualify for a loan to buy a house – at that time banks wouldn't loan to unmarried partners. Her son, Makena, is living in San Diego. 
Carol worked out a family tree, going back to Rene Houallet, who came from Montmartre, near Paris, to New France around 1666. Lemme know if you're interested in seeing it.

Bill, who's Jacquie's age, is living in Hesperia, CA with his wife, Judy. They've been married for about 35-40 years now. Bill has one daughter, Sabrina, with Judy and adopted Judy's first daughter, Diana. 

Dad moved to Grass Valley, CA in the 1980s, still Catholic and VERY conservative.  He died of pancreatic cancer in December, 2009.  Our mom turns 92 soon and is living in an assisted living facility in Victorville, a few miles from Bill. She's still got her marbles, though a fall and concussion a few years ago put a dent in her ability to remember new stuff. 

I got a job at USC in 1975 on a research project investigating motorcycle accidents on scene. By the time the research funding ran out in the early 1980s, I had investigated about 1200 crashes, figuring out how and why they happened, what caused the injuries and how helmet damage is related to head injuries. It turns out I had a skill lawyers need in an expert witness, so I spent the next few decades working with lawyers on their lawsuits, as well as going back to research and publishing from time to time. I'm retired now. 
My older son, Julian, got a PhD in political science from U Colorado – Boulder. So did his wife, Jamie. They have two kids.  Now he is a high-ranking civilian in the Pentagon. If the rest of the "deep state" is as dedicated and professional as Julian is, then I have a lot of confidence in the deep state to uphold their oath to the Constitution. 
My younger son, Jon, got a PhD in particle physics (specifically neutrino research) from UC Berkeley (2015) and is now working as a research scientist with MIT. At the moment, he's angling for a job at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. If that doesn't pan out, he figures he'll go into private industry in Silicon Valley and make twice as much as he would as a university research professor. And, yeah, I'm bragging about my kids. So shoot me. 
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
You all had a wonderful brother, I loved reading all you great memories. It brought me back to the special times we had with our siblings and cherished parents. Your memories are as unique and special as your cherished brother.
March 21, 2021
March 21, 2021
My brother and I were Irish twins...11 months apart. As we were growing up, I would follow him anywhere, mimic everything he did, my poor Mom was no match for the two of us. Later I realized some things should be done in moderation but Andre was full out...he drove fast, played music loud, kayaked down raging rivers. Most of his cars had battle scars and he was always modifying sound systems for max output. He loved to hunt but was a terrible shot...he loved to fish and caught an 8lb Rainbow on 4lb test with ice on the guides (Skip coaching him through the entire battle). He was always exploring and didn’t fear getting stuck...that was part of the adventure. He loved to read and knew something about everything...I was amazed he could retain so much information.

He lived with Muscular Dystrophy for many years and it eventually led to the complications causing his body to fail. In 2016 he survived a fast-paced wildfire by grabbing his car keys and leaving everything else behind. He created a new home with our baby-sister, Jacquie. Last Friday we had a family-Zoom call - Andre, our sisters Jacqueline and Monique, brothers-in-laws John and Skip and Andre’s daughter, Renee. Lots of memories, lots of laughter and tears and lots of love. We take comfort knowing Jesus was his Lord and Savior and has welcomed Andre into a new, everlasting adventure.

I love him and will miss him!

This was originally posted on Facebook 3/9/21
March 20, 2021
March 20, 2021
So many good memories with my dad-
Summer adventures in Sequoia, learning how to catch and clean fish, watching b level horror films and then telling ghost stories about the “O” house, and scouring all of LA and LA County looking for rare or interesting vinyl. Our favorite record shops were Go Boy in Redondo Beach and the Tower Records in Torrance. We both loved cats, Giuliano’s and Lomeli’s, and grabbing a malt at the Fosters Freeze. I will reflect warmly upon those days that were filled with adventure and am grateful I was able to spend time with my dad in his quieter final moments before being returned to the universe.

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June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021
The following was read at a family memorial for Andre on June 6, 2021. It was written by brother-in-law, Skip Shannon:

Andre and I spent a lot of time together. Mostly outdoors driving and hiking these mountains and valleys - especially around the Kern Valley and up into the Eastern Sierras. Lots of time hunting with shotguns and bird dogs. He never learned to shoot very well, but he loved being out doing it. He was game for any kind of challenge

We both loved music and did a lot of partying too. We weren’t always the best influence on each other but managed to stay out of trouble. Andre was unique and had his own take on the situation. We disagreed on some things but remained friends for almost 50 years that I’ve been married to Renee (his sister). He was the best man at our wedding. Through it all, good and bad, I think we had a mutual love for one another.

It was tough on Andre and the family to see him lose his health over the last few years. He was blessed to have his sister, Jacquie, by his side for better or worse, going above and beyond taking care of her brother. The family owes Jacquie a lot for all she did for him.

Sorry I couldn’t make it here with you all. Even though Andre and I are not there, we’re in one spirit and Andre is at peace in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was a blessing to hear Andre say he “Loved Jesus” before he passed. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”, John 3:16. That promise gives me hope that I will see him again.

Hi to everyone, love and may God bless you all,
Skip.
April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
First an introduction: Andre and I were first cousins, born less than a year apart. Andre's dad, Al and my Dad were brothers. Al was born in 1921, my dad in 1925. I lost track of Andre around our teenage years so most of what I remember is from when we were kids. Since that was 60+ years ago, most of it is kind of vague, bits and pieces. 

My family grew up in Whittier. Most Sundays we'd go to church, then load everybody into the car and head over our grandparents. I remember their home at Figueroa and 109th Place in South Central LA, where Dad and Al grew up.  I can't really tell if the old place is still there; everything in that neighborhood is fenced off and barricaded.  It was always fun when Andre came over or when we went to visit at Al & Rita's apartments on Hoover. Andre and I were, ummm, not quiet and well-behaved little boys when by ourselves and even less so when we got together. 

Sunday afternoons at my grandparents were pretty boring. We'd watch Victory at Sea (Navy documentaries about how they won the war) and John Wayne movies (about HE won the war).  So, primed by war movies, whenever Al would come over, we'd excitedly ask him "how many Japs he killed." He'd just laugh and never answer.  Years later I realized how grossly inappropriate that question was, in so many ways. 

I think my favorite story about Andre is one that I only heard.  Al used to take Andre to see horror movies, even when he was little.  (My parents didn't approve – they said Andre would wake up with nightmares).  But at one horror movie, in the middle of a very tense scene, Andre suddenly announced – loudly – "Dad, I shit my pants." You could say it broke the mood in the movie theater. 

When our grandmother, Annie Ouellet, died, the funeral was held in Whittier, where she and Grandpa had moved around the mid-1960s. The burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery (in the Holy Family section), the same West L.A. cemetery where Al and Rita are buried.  For the long ride from the church to the cemetery, there was a hearse carrying her coffin and two limos. I assume our parents were in the first limo. I know the grandkids piled into the 2nd limo. On the 20 mile drive out to the cemetery, our limo developed engine overheating problems and eventually seized and broke down right outside the cemetery. We walked the last hundred yards or so. 

Somehow, along the way in that rattling, overheating limo, we started joking and the ride soon turned into a riot of laughter and story-telling. We arrived at the burial still laughing and giggling, which garnered some disapproving looks from everybody else gathered around the grave. 

I went to Al's funeral years ago and was stunned to see how much memorabilia there was from his time in the Marines in the Pacific.  Those years had to be the absolute worst time of his life. And yet . . .  
To get an idea of the feel and smell of the war in the Pacific for the grunts and groundpounders, I can't recommend a better book than "With the Old Breed" by E.B. Sledge.

* ** *

By way of catching everybody up with our side of the family, my older brother Larry spent a career as a research professor at the University of Illinois – Chicago, directing a research project on HIV transmission among IV drug abusers. He's now a retired professor emeritus and still looks like a hippie. And he's got some great stories to tell. 

My sister, Carol, is a retired nurse living in Sacramento with her husband, Robert, and her daughter Josina's husband and two kids. Carol got married around 1973 in the back of a saloon in Nevada so she and Robert could qualify for a loan to buy a house – at that time banks wouldn't loan to unmarried partners. Her son, Makena, is living in San Diego. 
Carol worked out a family tree, going back to Rene Houallet, who came from Montmartre, near Paris, to New France around 1666. Lemme know if you're interested in seeing it.

Bill, who's Jacquie's age, is living in Hesperia, CA with his wife, Judy. They've been married for about 35-40 years now. Bill has one daughter, Sabrina, with Judy and adopted Judy's first daughter, Diana. 

Dad moved to Grass Valley, CA in the 1980s, still Catholic and VERY conservative.  He died of pancreatic cancer in December, 2009.  Our mom turns 92 soon and is living in an assisted living facility in Victorville, a few miles from Bill. She's still got her marbles, though a fall and concussion a few years ago put a dent in her ability to remember new stuff. 

I got a job at USC in 1975 on a research project investigating motorcycle accidents on scene. By the time the research funding ran out in the early 1980s, I had investigated about 1200 crashes, figuring out how and why they happened, what caused the injuries and how helmet damage is related to head injuries. It turns out I had a skill lawyers need in an expert witness, so I spent the next few decades working with lawyers on their lawsuits, as well as going back to research and publishing from time to time. I'm retired now. 
My older son, Julian, got a PhD in political science from U Colorado – Boulder. So did his wife, Jamie. They have two kids.  Now he is a high-ranking civilian in the Pentagon. If the rest of the "deep state" is as dedicated and professional as Julian is, then I have a lot of confidence in the deep state to uphold their oath to the Constitution. 
My younger son, Jon, got a PhD in particle physics (specifically neutrino research) from UC Berkeley (2015) and is now working as a research scientist with MIT. At the moment, he's angling for a job at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. If that doesn't pan out, he figures he'll go into private industry in Silicon Valley and make twice as much as he would as a university research professor. And, yeah, I'm bragging about my kids. So shoot me. 
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
You all had a wonderful brother, I loved reading all you great memories. It brought me back to the special times we had with our siblings and cherished parents. Your memories are as unique and special as your cherished brother.
His Life

Helping Cats in Honor of André

March 20, 2021
My father, André Ouellet,loved camping, hiking, rafting, music, computers and later in life, he really loved cats. When living in Gardena, CA he took notice of the number of stray and feral cats in the neighborhood. He gave them food and water, a safe place to live and be cared for, and he also became involved in TNR efforts. TNR stands for Trap Neuter Return and is incredibly important in reducing the number of cats born on the streets and into an incredibly difficult life. When he retired up to Lake Isabella, CA he continued his efforts with the homeless cats in Kern County. When my father became too ill to continue caring for homeless cats and kittens, his sister Jacquie took over to help re-home and “fix” community cats. 
My father passed away on March 8, 2021. 
In his memory I would like to raise funds to support Ridgecrest Animal Care and Control. This is a very small shelter doing a great deal of work for area animals and on a very small budget.
Please  help me honor my father in making a donation to support Ridgecrest Animal Care and Control, so that they may continue doing good work to help community cats in his memory.

https://gofund.me/ed93ed8e



Recent stories

My Big Brother Andre

March 20, 2021
My brother Andre and I shared three passions together- reading, listening to music, and discussing history. Over the years we enjoyed many concerts together, suggested many books to each other, and heatedly debated historical events.

When I was 12, I ordered The Two Towers from the school book drive. He was excited that I was interested in Tolkien, and he told me about The Hobbit and Tolkien’s other books which he had and lent to me. We read the books together. Later, he discovered Frank Herbert and his Dune series of books. Once again, he shared them with me. When these books were made into films years later, we went to see them especially Dune. Even when he was in college, he didn’t mind dragging his younger sister along to the library because he knew I liked reading so much.

He took me to my first rock concert to see The Who at the Long Beach Arena. I took him to his last concert to see Buddy Guy at UCLA. Between those dates, we heard many great bands together. Most notably, we saw Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton, and The Grateful Dead. On one very special day back when Andre had his VW bug, he took my sisters Renee, Jacquie, and me for a drive to Hermosa Beach. He had gotten Santana’s Abraxas tape and played it during the ride. It was a perfect moment for me. I was with my siblings listening to wonderful music. It was remarkable also because that day Andre drove calmly which was not his norm. Whenever I hear a song from that album, I remember that day.

I like to think that I like history because of my own curiosity, but it is more likely because of my Dad’s and Andre’s influence. They both liked history and had many great books for me to read. He knew so many interesting facts about Russia and the Middle East. When we would speak about current events, he would cite specific and sometimes obscure events that were impacting the present. I didn’t believe some of the conspiracy theories that he believed, but I still loved him because he was my big brother.

Post notes:

Andre has two fantastic children, Renee and Derek. I love them both very much.

Andre installed a stereo into my VW bug in such a way that no one was able to steal it. I remember there were three foiled attempts to steal it and the speakers. My mechanic finally installed wind wing locks which deterred further attempts.

Andre was part of several garage bands at the Merit Avenue “O” house. I still have a hard time listening to “Smoke on the Water” because of the number of times I heard that song played by Andre and his band.

No Raft, No Problem

March 20, 2021
I have the funniest memory from when I was about 13 years old and on a camping trip with my dad and grandparents. My dad had not brought his raft with him on this trip as it was not anticipated that there would be good rapids. I’m note exactly sure where we were...maybe Russian River? Anyway, as we were packing up to leave my dad took notice of the great rapids and expressed what a bummer it was that he did not have his raft. Then a large log caught his eye. My dad grabbed the log and hopped onto it in the water, exclaiming he would see how far he could ride it down the river. I’m not exactly sure how long he was gone but, I recall that it felt like a long time. My grandparents were freaking out and I was just thinking to myself...my dad is so cool! Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, my dad pops back up. His clothes were a bit tattered and his glasses were broken but, did he have a good time and a story to tell! Absolutely one of my favorite memories!

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