CLAIRE DENNIS THUELL

October 25, 2024

Claire Dennis Thuell of Ripley, died Oct. 25, 2024, just shy of his 87th birthday, after a short battle with cancer, at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. Affectionately known as “Coon” to friends and family, his death leaves a huge space in the hearts of many friends and family as he was loved for his stories and great sense of humour. Claire is survived by his son, Brent, and his wife, Lisa; his daughter, Patricia (Patti), and her husband, Bill; his brother, Ken Thuell, and his wife, Diane; his sister, Barbara Krieger, and her husband, George; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Thuell; his brother-in-law, Eugene Walden; and his sister-in-law, Evylene MacTavish. He is predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Peg) Thuell; his parents, Cloyne and Gwen Thuell; and his brother, Keith Thuell. Claire and Peg met when they were in high school. They were married in 1959 but had dated for about five years before that. During all that time, they have been separated for only one week when Peg flew out west to visit Patti and for a few weeks when Peg had surgery and rehab after her fall. In less than a year of Peg’s passing, Claire decided that it was time to join the love of his life in heaven. Born in Palmerston, Claire moved to Ripley at a very young age. One day, he decided to keep a raccoon for a pet and this earned him his childhood nickname, “Coon.” To this day, some friends and family from Ripley still call him Coon or Uncle Coon. No matter how long he had been away, to him, Ripley was always home. He got his wish ... he has returned home. Claire spent his life working as a mechanic. The last 25 years before retirement were dedicated to Bell Canada. He loved many outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing. This spring, he harvested his 25th turkey which was his biggest ever. During the summer, he kept busy, keeping the yard and gardens looking good. He always seemed to be taken with the different roses in the garden. Every evening after dinner, “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” were on his schedule. He liked the Mandarin restaurant and always had a game plan on how to tackle his favourite dishes. “Always tell the truth and be good to each other” ... as Claire would often say. The Thuell family extends its sincere thanks and appreciation for the care provided to Claire by the hospital staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, especially the Respiratory Inpatient Unit. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. The funeral will be held at the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at 1 p.m., with visitation two hours prior (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Final resting place, Ripley Cemetery. Condolences and donations on-line at www.mackenzieandmccreath.com.