Billy Fournier’s last wishes

This fundraiser has taken a different path from where it started a week ago….

I have known Billy and his neice Marie for about 18 years now. The first time I met Billy, I knew he was one of a kind. Charismatic, kind, polite and loyal. He had one of the biggest hearts I’d ever seen. He loved his family and friends unconditionally. He always put others first, lending a hand where and when he could. He always has a smile on his face and would swear on anyone’s eye brows when he made promises.

He dedicated his life to raising his neice Marie as his own. His world revolved around her. After her graduation, Marie was accepted into the U of A. Billy beamed with pride that his little girl was making something of herself. He’d say, “Cathy she is so smart, I never taught her that . But I must have done something right.” He was proud and so excited that he was going to support her through her university days. They packed up, leaving GP and moved downtown Edmonton close to the University.

Mid August it was confirmed, Billy had cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma- a rare, very aggressive, cancer. He called me up and said, “It’s everywhere Cathy. I don’t have much time.” He then started to cry and said, “I’m not ready to go. Marie still needs me and I need her.” It wasn’t long that he would be put into palliative care at the Grey Nuns Hospital. Only weeks after his admission he succumbed to the disease. Tuesday morning, October 17th he left this world to reunite with his mom, dad, sister, little brother and other family and friends he so fondly spoke about.

I seen him often after his diagnosis and one of the first things he would talk about was Marie and his worry about her education, housing, and living costs. His cancer came on so violently there was no time to make a plan. “Rent almost due and I haven’t paid for last months.” He’d say. He worried so much about what she would do on such short notice. One of the last conversations we had was, could I check on her from time to time? Make sure she finishes school and if she needs help to find proper connections would I make sure to help? I’m sure he had this same conversation to all family and friends he spoke to.

So on behalf of my dearest friend and his final worries I’m starting this fund raiser for Miss Marie. I’m hoping to raise enough money to get her through the rest of the school year stress free. Let’s give her the time to mourn and keep focus on school. Any amount to support is very much appreciated.

Thank you and God bless.