Joyal George Culleton September 11th, 1939 – July 4th, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joyal George Culleton, age 86, originally from Vassar, Manitoba, on July 4, 2026.
Joyal was born on September 11, 1939, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Eva and George Culleton. He grew up near Whitemouth Lake, Manitoba, just north of Vassar, one of seven children alongside his siblings Richard (predeceased), May, George (predeceased), Stuart, Raymond (predeceased), Shirlee, and Glenn. From an early age, Joyal often took on the role of a father figure to his younger siblings.
Joyal attended Whitemouth Lake School until grade 8, when he left to go to work for Joe Hovorka in the bush camps as a laborer. At age 18, he began driving trucks — a career that would define his entire working life. For several years he hauled pulpwood, often hand-loading his trucks and then hand-unloading them into rail cars in Roseau, Minnesota, making one or two loads a day entirely by hand.
From there, Joyal's career took him across the trucking and heavy equipment industry: he worked construction up north with Daly Construction, then Fenwick Construction, building northern roads. He was among the original "Ice Road Truckers," hauling equipment across frozen lakes in the days before many northern roads were maintained. He spent many years working out of Sprague for Sandilands Forest Products, hauling pulp and lumber to Steinbach, Blumenort, and Winnipeg. When that plant closed, he moved on to Boutang Enterprises, once again hauling pulpwood, this time across the border into the U.S. and to Canadian lumber mills. His career continued with Borden Construction hauling gravel and equipment, then back to J. Hovorka & Sons, working for his good friend Marvin, son of his original boss Joe. He spent his final working years hauling wood for Joel Roch before finally hanging up his keys.
Simply put, Joyal loved to drive truck. It wasn't just a job — it was who he was.
Joyal met his first true love, Marion Sanness, and they married on April 9, 1961. They made their home in Vassar, Manitoba, where they raised their four children: Brenda (Barry) Bordush, Sharran (Harlan) Flaten, Wayne (Debbra) Culleton, and Jeremy (Adriane) Culleton.
Life in Vassar was full — family, friends, and fun filled nearly every week. The family spent countless days camping at places like Riding Mountain National Park, Moose Lake, and Birch Point, often alongside Marion's family — The Daly’s, The Sanness’, and The Erickson’s — there was always a family gathering to look forward to. Joyal and Marion's home was always open to neighbors, friends, and family, where the coffee was always on and hot. The house and yard were rarely without animals — from pet chickens to wild hogs, deer, dogs, and cats. Sundays had their own tradition: Joyal would be up early making breakfast, fiddle music playing on the 8-track, singing and whistling along as he cooked. For the family, it was as good as any alarm clock.
Together, Joyal and Marion built an impressive legacy: 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, with two more due in November to bring that number to 30.
Sadly, Marion predeceased Joyal on September 19, 1999.
Joyal found renewed love when he married his longtime friend and fellow Whitemouth Lake resident, Betty Baines. They were married on July 22, 2001, in front of family, taking two families and making one. Betty brought her own children into the family: Karen Baines Strobel, Janine (Devon) Reid, Lesley (Tim) Asmundson, and Jared (Julie) Baines.
With Betty, Joyal began an entirely new chapter of life. Together they traveled coast to coast, from Alaska to Nova Scotia and everywhere in between, along with trips to Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Many of these adventures were shared with friends and family, making the memories all the sweeter. They bought an RV and spent time at Moose Lake, always making time for family. Joyal and Betty also enjoyed the casino, often traveling there with Joyal's siblings, and taking in an attraction or two along the way. They could also be found watching one of their grandchildren’s many activities. Wherever he went, Joyal loved meeting new people and sharing stories.
Joyal gained the privilege of becoming a grandpa again through marriage, with 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, with two more due this fall courtesy of Betty’s children. Family time has always been the cornerstone of Joyal’s life and that continued when these two families became one.
The family would also like to thank Tara Semeniuk. Tara was Joyal’s personal assistant and helped care for him in the final year of his life. Joyal enjoyed her talks, her sweet tea, and the loving care she gave him. The family and Joyal were truly blessed to have Tara.
Joyal is survived by his wife, Betty; his children; and his remaining brothers and sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers and his first wife, Marion.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Vassar Community Hall in Vassar, Manitoba with interment at Vassar Community Cemetery. Lunch to follow at Vassar Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Joyal's memory, to Diabetes Canada (Diabetes.ca).
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joyal George Culleton, age 86, originally from Vassar, Manitoba, on July 4, 2026.
Joyal was born on September 11, 1939, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Eva and George Culleton. He grew up near Whitemouth Lake, Manitoba, just north of Vassar, one of seven children alongside his siblings Richard (predeceased), May, George (predeceased), Stuart, Raymond (predeceased), Shirlee, and Glenn. From an early age, Joyal often took on the role of a father figure to his younger siblings.
Joyal attended Whitemouth Lake School until grade 8, when he left to go to work for Joe Hovorka in the bush camps as a laborer. At age 18, he began driving trucks — a career that would define his entire working life. For several years he hauled pulpwood, often hand-loading his trucks and then hand-unloading them into rail cars in Roseau, Minnesota, making one or two loads a day entirely by hand.
From there, Joyal's career took him across the trucking and heavy equipment industry: he worked construction up north with Daly Construction, then Fenwick Construction, building northern roads. He was among the original "Ice Road Truckers," hauling equipment across frozen lakes in the days before many northern roads were maintained. He spent many years working out of Sprague for Sandilands Forest Products, hauling pulp and lumber to Steinbach, Blumenort, and Winnipeg. When that plant closed, he moved on to Boutang Enterprises, once again hauling pulpwood, this time across the border into the U.S. and to Canadian lumber mills. His career continued with Borden Construction hauling gravel and equipment, then back to J. Hovorka & Sons, working for his good friend Marvin, son of his original boss Joe. He spent his final working years hauling wood for Joel Roch before finally hanging up his keys.
Simply put, Joyal loved to drive truck. It wasn't just a job — it was who he was.
Joyal met his first true love, Marion Sanness, and they married on April 9, 1961. They made their home in Vassar, Manitoba, where they raised their four children: Brenda (Barry) Bordush, Sharran (Harlan) Flaten, Wayne (Debbra) Culleton, and Jeremy (Adriane) Culleton.
Life in Vassar was full — family, friends, and fun filled nearly every week. The family spent countless days camping at places like Riding Mountain National Park, Moose Lake, and Birch Point, often alongside Marion's family — The Daly’s, The Sanness’, and The Erickson’s — there was always a family gathering to look forward to. Joyal and Marion's home was always open to neighbors, friends, and family, where the coffee was always on and hot. The house and yard were rarely without animals — from pet chickens to wild hogs, deer, dogs, and cats. Sundays had their own tradition: Joyal would be up early making breakfast, fiddle music playing on the 8-track, singing and whistling along as he cooked. For the family, it was as good as any alarm clock.
Together, Joyal and Marion built an impressive legacy: 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, with two more due in November to bring that number to 30.
Sadly, Marion predeceased Joyal on September 19, 1999.
Joyal found renewed love when he married his longtime friend and fellow Whitemouth Lake resident, Betty Baines. They were married on July 22, 2001, in front of family, taking two families and making one. Betty brought her own children into the family: Karen Baines Strobel, Janine (Devon) Reid, Lesley (Tim) Asmundson, and Jared (Julie) Baines.
With Betty, Joyal began an entirely new chapter of life. Together they traveled coast to coast, from Alaska to Nova Scotia and everywhere in between, along with trips to Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Many of these adventures were shared with friends and family, making the memories all the sweeter. They bought an RV and spent time at Moose Lake, always making time for family. Joyal and Betty also enjoyed the casino, often traveling there with Joyal's siblings, and taking in an attraction or two along the way. They could also be found watching one of their grandchildren’s many activities. Wherever he went, Joyal loved meeting new people and sharing stories.
Joyal gained the privilege of becoming a grandpa again through marriage, with 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, with two more due this fall courtesy of Betty’s children. Family time has always been the cornerstone of Joyal’s life and that continued when these two families became one.
The family would also like to thank Tara Semeniuk. Tara was Joyal’s personal assistant and helped care for him in the final year of his life. Joyal enjoyed her talks, her sweet tea, and the loving care she gave him. The family and Joyal were truly blessed to have Tara.
Joyal is survived by his wife, Betty; his children; and his remaining brothers and sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers and his first wife, Marion.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Vassar Community Hall in Vassar, Manitoba with interment at Vassar Community Cemetery. Lunch to follow at Vassar Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Joyal's memory, to Diabetes Canada (Diabetes.ca).