Rene was born on September 2, 1928. He homesteaded with his father Paul south of Girouxville in 1926. He married Helen Gregory on December 24, 1928. They had two sons who drowned in 1937. They later had two more children.
Rene served as Member of Parliament from 1935 to 1940. He joined the army the day war was declared and spent two years as transport officer before going overseas. Rene worked with the Free French was decorated with the Cross of Lorraine, one of only three given outside France by General de Gaulle.
After returning from overseas, Rene settle in Calgary with his family.
Source: Reflexions p 783