AMYOTTE, Earl 74 years, passed away peacefully with family by his side on February 2, 2007 at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital. Loving companion of Anne Marie Stephens. Beloved father of Tom and David and wife Cheryl. Predeceased by parents Michael and Dorothy Amyotte. Dearest grandfather to Jessica and Adam. Survived by sister Linda Whitehouse; brothers Lawrence and Ron Amyotte and predeceased by brothers Jack and Dale. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren. "Earl the Pearl" as he was known to his pro-life colleagues, frequently described himself as one who was meant to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. For nearly 3 decades Mr. Amyotte of Windsor, ON was a leading Canadian pro-life activist. He was a founding member of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), the political arm of the pro-life movement in Canada, and was the first leader of the Pro-Life Party of Canada. In recent years, Mr. Amyotte particularly enjoyed participating in Show the Truth, the in your-face street presentation of abortion, using graphic images to make the reality inescapable. Earl was a regular hospital picketer with his 'friends across the river' and would travel 15 hours by bus to attend the annual March for Life every January in Washington D.C. Earl also enjoyed a 'jar' and a cigar. In his role as Windsor Area President of the CLC he was the newsman's best friend-always available with a quotable quote. A staunch Catholic, Mr. Amyotte usually reserved his most biting criticism for bishops and those in charge of Catholic institutions who were slow to respond to crucial moral problems. "The bishops are lost," he would often say. Earl had little time for those who gave 'lip service' to an issue. The 'meet, eat and retreat' crowd was anathema to his instincts and desire to do good. The wealthier do-nothing pew sitters he dubbed, 'the wine, dine and recline' crowd. Earl was incensed when it was announced that Assumption College would present the Christian Culture Award to Jean Chretien, who is a pro-abortion Catholic, who would later become Prime Minister. He picketed former PM John Turner's visit to St. Mary's Cathedral in London, ON. Turner, another pro-abortion 'Catholic", was Minister of Justice in the Trudeau government who rammed through the Omnibus Bill in 1969 which threw open the door to abortion-on-demand. Earl loved people and especially young people. At any pro-life conference or gathering you'd see him with a child in his arms-any child. Mr. Amyotte was a defender of the rights of children in the womb, their moms, the handicapped and elderly-at-risk and everyone who was disadvantaged. The late great Mother Theresa referred to those in the pro-life movement as ordinary people doing extraordinary work for God. In Earl's Case he was an extraordinary character doing extraordinary work for his Lord and Saviour. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Visitation will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. Parish prayers will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. from the Marcotte Funeral Home & Chapel 12105 Tecumseh Road, Tecumseh (519-735-2830) to St. Gregory the Great Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Daniel Bombardier will be the celebrant. Interment at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. In kindness memorial donations to the Campaign Life Coalition would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Earl Amyotte in the Marcotte Heritage Forest. A dedication service will be held September 30, 2007. All are welcome. The family invites you to sign the Book of Condolence or to share a memory at www.marcottetecumseh.ca
Published in the Windsor Star from 2/3/2007 - 2/6/2007.