Ludger Valmond (née Dugas) Throop passed away in his home on February 28, 2023, at the age of 95, surrounded by his daughter, Jacqueline; son-in-law, Evan; and grandchildren, Taylor and Jamie. Ludger was predeceased by his wife, Irene (née Bourgeois) in 2021.
Ludger’s life began in Atholville, N.B. where he was the second of five children born to Hedwidge (Landry) and Jean-Louis Dugas. Tragically, his father passed suddenly, at a very young age, and he and his siblings were cared for by their grandmother and aunts, while his mother searched for work and a way to support her children. Ludger adored his grandmother and often spoke of her fondly. When he was an adolescent, he and his sisters moved to Sackville, N.B. to live with his mother and his stepfather, Howard Throop, who came to have three children of their own. This family truly blended into one, close-knit family and remained that way throughout their lives.
In his young years, he worked at various jobs, including Enterprise Foundry. He often recalled the day, however, when Mr. Robert Read came to the foundry and recruited him to work at Marshlands Inn, where he worked for over 30 years, loving every minute of it! At "The Inn", Ludger found his work family and an occupation that suited him perfectly. Caretaker.
Caretaker described him perfectly. He took care with everything he did; and he deeply cared for everyone in his life, from neighbours to friends and, especially, family. Family always came first, including his wife’s family, where he helped care for them as much as his own. Ludger was someone you could always count on. Always.
Ludger’s work ethic was extraordinary. He defined "hard-working man" and, with Irene, built a house that became a home and a life together that became a legacy. Irene and Ludger married in 1952 and adopted Jacqueline in 1964. As a family of three, they were extremely close and even when Jacqueline moved to Ottawa or Vancouver or Toronto, it didn't deter them from making long flights or car rides to share a holiday or birthday or simple visit.
Although a man of few words, he expressed much love and affection. He was described as "a good man", "one of the best", and "a man everyone loved". He was quick to help and generous with his support. Ludger could put his hands to anything. He loved fishing, tinkering with old cars, carving birds and animals, building small furniture and fixing "perfectly good" appliances and tools others had discarded.
Ludger will be deeply missed by his daughter Jacqueline (Evan) Throop-Robinson, his grandchildren, Taylor Dale Yue Mei and Jamie Evan Si Fan, as well as his sisters Delia, Rosela, Roberta and Jeanette (John) as well as his brother Norman (Joyce) and their families. He will also be missed by members of his Bourgeois family, as well as many dear friends and extended family.
Ludger is predeceased by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Evangeline (Joe), and brother, Roger (Joan), as well as his brother-in-law, Louis, his niece, Joanne, and his nephews, Norman, Robert and Jean-Guy.
The family also wants to thank Ludger’s caregivers for all their support and loving care of Ludger, especially Alex, Susan and Pam, who have supported him over the years, and Sylvie, who supported him when he came home from the hospital.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB. Honouring Ludger's wishes, there will be no visitation. A eulogy to share memories of Ludger will take place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church, 63 Charlotte St, Sackville, NB at 9:45 am, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass. A reception will immediately follow Mass. All are welcome to attend. Interment will follow in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Middle Sackville in the spring. For those who wish to make a donation in Ludger's memory, please consider The Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook Page.