Romeo A Thibert

Romeo Armand Thibert left us on January 27, 2021, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter Jaclyn (Jackie) Doherty and son-in-law, Ryan and son Cory Thibert and daughter-in-law, Carrie, his four grandkids, Quin and Isla Doherty and Tate and Wynne Thibert, as well as his sisters and brother and families, Lauraine and John Law, Corinne Palmer and Rob and Lori Thibert, sister-in-law, Agnes Thibert and mother in law, Margaret Sears and Carol’s family, Ken and Barb Sears, Murray and Eulana Sears and Shelley Davies. He was pre-deceased by his mom and dad, Romeo and Juliet Thibert, Carol’s dad, Steve Sears, brother, Gerry Thibert and brothers in law, Ken Palmer and Kirk Davies.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Rome knew he lived for his family and was loved by so many more. In fact, his favourite thing about his smartphone was the ‘find my friend’ app, which in his case should have been called ‘find my family.’ It was not uncommon to get a random call from him just to tell us, “ I see you are still at work,” or “ Looks like you are just passing Claresholm, coffee is on if you want to stop by for a visit!”. At the time, these little dad-isms would surely have garnered an eye roll from whoever was on the receiving end. However, we also knew it was his way of checking in and making sure we were all ok.  

Romeo supported us in absolutely everything we endeavoured to do and be. This, all while quietly pursuing his black belt in karate, becoming a coach and master official for junior swimming, an official for cycling and a volunteer for many, many sporting events, as well as the arts when he served on the Empress Theatre board. He would greet his grandkids at the bus stop after school, join them in their swimming lessons, and be the first to run errands for his family when someone forgot their backpack or lunch, needed an oil change, or something from the grocery store. Even when he was no longer driving a car but riding his bike all over town, it was not unusual for him to cycle even as far as Costco and then call his kids to see if there was anything he could cram into his panniers. These are the wonderful little imperfections that make us miss him the most.

He did love his bike. This affection sustained him in later years as his health declined and he was no longer able to drive a car, but it began long before that.  His first adventures on his coveted tandem took him and Carol to the east and west coasts and many points between. He then moved on to e-bikes, which he pioneered until the rest of us figured out that he just might be on to something.  He loved the many adventures, often in a tent, he and Carol took with family and friends including Canada from coast to coast to coast, the United States, Asia and Europe.  

Perhaps the only thing that would take him away from family gatherings were his coffee dates. For this, the Thibert house had a revolving door…his Sunday morning breakfast group, his Telus buddies, his cycling companions and his life-long friendships with those special people that were testament to his loyalty as a friend.

The comment that always rises to the surface when describing Rome is that he was a really good guy. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa or “grumpy” (though few would ever be more congenial). He will be missed.

Romeo, we love you and we will always celebrate your life. We will get together with all of those who were lucky enough to know you and love you once we are able to gather again.

Our family wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to Doctor Wong and the team at the Renal Unit, the doctors and nurses in the Lethbridge and Calgary ICUs, and the air ambulance team that travelled with him to Calgary.

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