It is with heavy hearts the family wishes to announce the passing of Robert Salesse of Sherbrooke, Quebec, which occurred peacefully surrounded by his family on September 23, 2022 at his sister Darlene’s residence in Bathurst, NB as it was his last wish.

Born in Bathurst, NB, Robert was the oldest of the family of the late Edgar and Celina (Vienneau) Salesse, and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Paulette Raiche, one son Pierre of Québec and two granddaughters, Daphnee and Rosalie of St. Catherine de la Jacques Cartier, Québec.

Family was everything to Robert, and he will be sadly missed by his four sisters: Francine Imbeault (Alexandre Doiron), Leah Doucet (Gilbert), Darlene Labonville (John) and Lisa Guignard (Eugene), several nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews, including all his in-laws the Raiche family.

Besides his parents Robert was pre-deceased by two brothers David (1976) and Maurice (2021), a nephew Mark Anthony (2015), and an infant niece Micheline (1975).

A special thank you to Dr. Marc Aucoin, Dr. Mathieu Morrison, Dre. Marie- Andrée Arseneau, and Dre. Marie-Soleil Lamarre, and all nurses of the Extra Mural program for their passionate and excellent care given to Robert, as well as all the staff of Chaleur Regional Hospital he encountered.

Robert lived a fulfilled life starting with his first job in 1965 as a gas attendant for W.J. Cormier (Percy Cormier) earning .40 cents per hour. However, it didn’t take long for Robert to move along to La Parelle lumber and work as a Boiler Operator alongside of his father, who was a Stationary Engineer.

In 1967, Robert moved to work with his father at the Bathurst Trade School and started night courses to become a Stationary Engineer obtaining his Class 4 license with a goal of becoming a licensed Class 1 Stationary Engineer.

In 1968, Robert went on to work for Brunswick Mines as a Boiler Operator, however, in 1970 work took him to Nackawic, NB as a Stationary Engineer where he pursued his studies and obtained his Stationary Engineer Class 3 license, and then his Class 2 Stationary Engineer license. In 1973, Robert left New Brunswick for Port Cartier, Quebec to work for the Rayonier, Quebec Pulp and Paper Mill, where he continued his studies and obtained his Class 1 Stationary Engineer License. In 1979, he took a job in Bethioua, Algeria as a Class 1 Stationary Engineer working as an Instructor Operator where he taught Algerians how to become Power Engineers for the Elpaso Natural Gas company.

In 1983, Robert returned to Bathurst to work for Brunswick Mines as a foreman in the Steam Plant. In 1985, he returned to Algeria for Pullman Kellogg to prepare Operating Procedure Manuals for Stationary Engineers in training. In 1986, he returned to Bathurst, and took one year off, then became self-employed and bought a delivery truck where he had a contract with Cabano D’Anjou Bathurst Division. In 1990, Robert returned to Granby, Quebec to work as a Boiler Operator for Vapeur et Combustion Bromont.

Finally, in 1992, Robert accepted the job of his dreams and lifetime career Chief Engineer for Bishop University in Sherbrooke, Quebec. While being an entrepreneur as well at the same time he had rental units, two apartment buildings, and two houses until his retirement in 2008.

Robert took every opportunity he had to be with his family and friends at family gatherings and vacations. He loved to travel, and he sure did travel the world with his wife Paulette.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Elhatton’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Thursday, September 29, 2022, from 9 a.m. until departure for funeral. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 11:00 am at Holy Rosary Church, Bathurst, NB.

Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home, Bathurst, NB (www.elhatton.com).