Preserving Family Stories: Meet Dennis Francoeur, Remento's 2025 Dadvice Winner

How One Man's Final Words Became His Son’s Guiding Light

Every dad offers something – advice, humor, strength, quiet presence. And sometimes, they give us words so powerful they become life-long compasses. That’s what happened with Dennis Francoeur, the winner of Remento’s 2025 Dadvice Competition.

Dennis shared two unforgettable lessons from his father, words that now live on not only in his heart, but across his entire family. His story reminds us why capturing a parent’s voice and values is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give ourselves and those who come after us.

“Mean It When You Say ‘I Love You’”

A Final Conversation That Became a Family Creed.

Dennis grew up with a father who didn’t just talk about values, he lived them. Two pieces of advice from his dad shaped the way Dennis sees the world:

“Never focus on the color of a person’s skin – focus on their behavior and how they treat others.”

And

“When you say ‘I love you,’ mean it, because you never know if it’ll be the last time.”

That second lesson took on even greater weight when Dennis spoke those exact words to his father before a major heart surgery. It was the last thing he ever said to him.

His dad passed away on the operating table.

Those final words – spoken with love and intention – have guided Dennis ever since. They’re the kind of words that shape how you show up as a son, a father, and a grandfather.

Dadvice That Echoes Through Generations

Dennis’s story isn’t just about grief, it’s about honoring wisdom by living it forward. He’s passed on those lessons to his children and grandchildren, ensuring that his father’s legacy continues in the everyday choices his family makes.

This is the true power of story preservation: it turns moments into meaning. It turns loss into legacy.

Celebrating the Voices Behind the Advice

Remento received dozens of heartfelt submissions filled with laughter, insight, and timeless fatherly wisdom. While Dennis’s story stood out as the winner of our $500 prize, we’re proud to celebrate all of our finalists, including Carla and Marianna, whose stories moved us in their own beautiful ways.

Each entry was a reminder: every dad has a story worth saving.

The Gift of Remembering, In His Own Voice

Stories like Dennis’s are why Remento exists. With our simple platform, families can capture their loved ones’ wisdom – in their own words, in their own voice – and create a keepsake that lasts for generations.

Imagine being able to hear your dad say, “I love you,” decades from now. To remember not just what he said, but how he said it.

That’s what we offer: a chance to preserve not just memories, but presence.

For families documenting a parent's life story, the process itself becomes as valuable as the final product. The Remento experience offers:

• Weekly prompts that inspire meaningful stories
• Photo integration that helps trigger memories
• Speech-to-Story™ technology that transforms spoken words into written text
• A beautiful hardcover book with embedded QR codes linking to original voice recordings

Start Capturing the Dadvice in Your Life

Inspired by Dennis’s story? You don’t need a competition to begin preserving the wisdom of the fathers and father figures in your life. Whether it’s practical advice, hilarious one-liners, or profound life lessons, now is the time to capture those stories.

Start your journey with Remento today and give the people you love the most timeless gift of all: their voice, their stories, and their truth.