Obituaries

JOSEPH LAURENT (LARRY) LAGACE

On the 21^st February, 2023, Joseph Laurent (Larry) Lagace, beloved husband of Bernadette Lagace (1937-2004), passed peacefully at the age of 90. It was during that moment where he would be reunited with his one true love in his life.

Larry was born and raised in a small New Brunswick fishing village of Belledune and raised in Pointe Verte, NB, during the height of the great depression. As dad would recall, “You knew the poor families as there were always lobster carcasses by the back door.”

He was the oldest child of a French Acadian family, Denis and Marie-Rose Lagace. His siblings were Florien, Claude, Claudette, Yvonne, Jeanette and Irene.

When dad was 19 he joined the Canadian Forces. In 1952, he deployed to Korea as a Combat Engineer- his proudest moment of being in the military. During that time he told us about protecting the bridge from the North Koreans- it was raining all night and he was on the bridge with the explosives. During the night with no one around, raining hard, he slipped into the raging river. He didn’t know how to swim and thrashed around with a final attempt, finding a rope. He pulled himself out and never told anyone because, as all young soldiers feel, he thought he was in trouble.

In 1956, Larry was sent to Chilliwack, BC, for trade training. This young French-Canadian soldier, unable to speak English, met Bernadette thanks to his soon to be father-in-law, Joe Fortin. Bringing the young soldier to a French-Canadian family, Larry and Bernadette fell in love and married in October, thus started a life-long adventure of family and postings. Mom had no idea that meant leaving her family in BC. In late summer, 1957 they had their first child. Shortly after, in 1958 with child in hand, they moved to Shilo, MB, and finished having their family of four.

Several postings across Canada, in 1970, his final posting in Winnipeg, they settled as a family back in Manitoba.

In 1975, dad retired as Master Warrant Officer, bought his first and only home in Charleswood and gave his family stability.

Working in the public service until 1995, dad then enjoyed the passages of retirement- a wife who wanted to travel more and have plenty of friends to hang around. She made him a social butterfly whether he liked it or not.Retirement was simple- both Larry and Bernie made St Charles Parish their special place as Eucharistic Ministers. He also enjoyed the Knights of Columbus, Korean Veterans Association, baseball, curling and making sure our mom was not adding barbeque sauce on his food- he was very fussy.

He also had the great pleasure of watching his family grow with the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Indeed, just two-weeks prior to his death, the family came together to celebrate his 90^th birthday at Deer Lodge. Even the folks away joined in through Zoom. It was so special for him, holding babies and feeling loved!

Dad passed as all soldiers should- with respect and honour. He was escorted from his room by his grandson, an Afghanistan Veteran, with the Canadian Flag draped over his body and given a final salute.

Left to mourn his departure are his children, Larry (Linda), Mike (Lorraine), Denise, Murray (Deb) and grandchildren, Natalie, Ryan, Adrienne, Marc, Adam, Nolan and Danielle. His great-grandchildren- Connor, Sophie, Rory, Julien, Nicole, Gus and Fern complete his circle of life.

Dad’s spirit was kind and genuine. He loved and made it easy for others to love him. Too honest at times, this endeared him to all that knew him.

The family wish to thank the Deer Lodge Centre Staff for their kindness and support during the past three years, including ensuring Damien (his pet mechanical cat) was working right. Of special note, Rolando- you truly became endeared to dad and his family.

Thanks to Linda and Lorraine for their love of their father-in-law and the years of support ensuring Bernadette didn’t have to come back and kick his butt to engage family. He was dad to both.

Of one last note- in his final couple months his conversation changed from wanting to buy a car to wanting to adopt a boy! He thought it was so important. In 1975, when retiring from the military, his mother had to inform him that, indeed, dad was an adopted son, loved by his new mom and dad in 1933.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, 15^th April at 10:30 am at St Charles Catholic Parish, 320 St Charles St, Winnipeg. On the following Monday, there will be a private family internment where his ashes will join his beloved Bernadette.