Obituary of André Thomas Charlebois

André Thomas Charlebois of Calgary, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the age of 67 years.

Dédé, as he was affectionately known as a child, was born on July 11, 1953 to Fernand and Elsie Charlebois in Ottawa.  

André was an exceptional student who always did well in school. He attended the prestigious Académie de La Salle, and then went on to study at Carleton University where he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Psychology. He later received a teaching degree from the University of Calgary.

He married Stephanie Gillespie Charlebois in 1978 and they had two children, Daniel and Jamie. It was obvious to everyone who knew him that André’s children and grandchildren were the most important thing in his life. He was very proud of the men that his boys became and was always bragging about them to his friends and family.

André worked as a French Immersion teacher and Assistant Principal for 35 years in the Calgary Board of Education, retiring in 2015. He touched the lives of countless students, parents and colleagues over the course of his career. Many of his friends and colleagues remarked that he was an incredible mentor, friend and source of support in their work and in their lives.

He was an avid fly fisherman, photographer, runner, and sports fan. He especially loved hockey and his beloved boyhood team, the Montreal Canadiens. André loved nature, the outdoors, Jeeps, tea, fishing in Alberta and BC, tying flies, and photography. 

André is survived by Daniel, Jamie, Stephanie, Teresa, Sarah, his beloved grandchildren Ethan and Elsie and his siblings Fern, Ron, Larry, Jeannette and Lorraine. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Fernand and Elsie and his siblings Gilbert and Annette.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 30^th, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. in Calgary. Due to COVID restrictions, the service is private, but will be streamed online for those who wish to view it - https://vimeo.com/event/573838

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.  or to the Calgary Distress Centre 500-999 8 Street SW, email  roxannec@distresscentre.com, 403-266-1600