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I’ve been trying to determine where next to follow my ancestry line to and which line to write about. Instead of writing about some distant relative, I thought I’d start writing with those a bit closer to me and write backward. I am going to start with my great grand parents on my mom’s maternal side.
Palma’s Baptism
Sept 6 1908 – Paroisse St. Bernadette – Bonfield, ON
Employment
Palma worked for Canadian Pacific Railway in 1931, likely as a Rail section worker.
A little tidbit of history about the CPR and Bonfield: When the Canada Central Railway became the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 1880’s Bonfield township prospered. The CPR started its westward expansion from Bonfield, Ontario (previously called Callander Station) where the first spike was driven into a sunken railway tie in 1881. Bonfield, Ontario was inducted into Canadian Railway Hall of Fame in 2002 as the CPR First Spike location.
He advanced to work for Trans Canada Highway in 1932 which paid a then high income of $5.00/month.
He took on a second job working evenings as a Baker for Ovide Martin. Completing the highway’s assignment, Ovide offered Palma a full-time position.
Marriage
Palma Henri Duchesne married Laurette Allard in Bonfield, Ontario, on May 16, 1933 at St. Bernadette’s Parish.
Palma was 25, Laurette was 19. He is noted as being a Farmer’s son. She was “at home”. Both could read and write.
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Birth of Daughter
Daughter Desneiges Adrianne was born on January 31, 1934 (my grand-mother).
Birth of Son
Son Lucien was born on June 15, 1935.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Rita was born on August 15, 1936.
Birth of Son
Son Paul was born on May 27, 1938.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Aline was born in 1939.
Death of Daughter
Daughter Aline passed away on August 8, 1939, when she was less than a year old.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Eva was born on August 1, 1941, in Ontario.
Birth of Son
Leo Omer was born on October 19, 1942.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Cécile was born on August 12, 1945.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Irène Léoni was born on August 18, 1946, in Ontario.
Palma Opens Duchesne Groceries
In 1946 while he working unloading his truck, a log rolled off and struck him. The incident left him unable to work in logging any longer, he had to seek other employment. By now he had 8 children and a wife at home. Times were hard, so Palma made the life changing decision to mortgage his house and extend it to build a variety store in 1947.
By 1950 the variety store had become a grocery store. Duchesne groceries was located at 115 Schayer Street in Bonfield.
Birth of Daughter
Daughter Léa Alice was born on February 9, 1947.
Residence
1949 – As per the Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980 
Inaugural Session of 1951 Bonfield Council
Palma started serving on the Bonfield Town Council and did so for 25 years.
Birth of Son
His son André Patrick was born on March 18, 1953.
Laurette’s Death of Father
Her father Louis Napoléon passed away in 1954 in Bonfield, Ontario, at the age of 80.
Employment
In 1954 Palma bought a brand new pick up truck and converted it so that he could transport groceries and merchandise to Grand Desert (in the south west corner of the township) on a regular basis.
Palma also began using his truck to transport school children along a regular route. He continued this until 1967, when the truck was replaced by a small bus. A large regulation sized bus was finally purchased and in use by 1967.
Birth and Death of Daughter
Daughter Marie was born in 1955 and passed away that same day.
Grand-Daughter’s Baptism
January 20 1956 – Mona Lamothe
Birth of Son
Son Jean was born in April 1958 in Ontario.
Palma’s Death of Father
When Palma was 52 years old, his father Médéric passed away on December 12, 1960, in Ontario at the age of 77.
Palma’s Death of Mother
His mother Leda passed away on October 3, 1966, at the age of 79.
Laurette’s Death of Mother
Her mother Éva passed away in 1961 in Haileybury, Ontario, at the age of 79.
1974 – Birth of First Great Grand-Child
Photo: Mémère & Pépère Duchesne, Baby Tina & Mona
Employment
Palma decides to close Duchesne Groceries. There was no more grocery store in Bonfield.
Death of Daughter
Daughter Rita passed away in 1976 in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 40.
4 Generations – 1976
Laurette, Desneiges, Mona & Tina
Palma’s Death
Palma died in April 1976 in Ontario when he was 67 years old.
According to the A History of the Township of Bonfield Centennial Book, Palma died of lung cancer.
In 1977, the house was sold to their son, Léo. Léo, his wife Nicole live there to this day (2018).
Residence
Laurette lived in Mattawa, Ontario, from 1977 to 1985.
She had a boyfriend who lived there as well as her son, Lucien. After her boyfriend passed away, Laurette decided to move to Kitchener ON
Tina, Mona, Mémère Duchesne and Darryl Residence
1985 – After deciding to move to Kitchener, Laurette was at home in Mattawa packing when she suffered a massive stroke, leaving her paralyzed on her left side and totally blind. She was transported to KW Hospital (now Grand River Hospital) in Kitchener and was then transferred to Freeport Hospital (a long term care facility) in Kitchener (3570 King St. East). She resided there until her death.
Laurette’s Death
Laurette died on March 2, 1990, in Kitchener, Ontario, when she was 75 years old. She died at Freeport Hospital.
She is buried with her husband Palma in Bonfield ON
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My Better Life 