Obituary of JEAN (JOHN) LAFRENIERE

JEAN (JOHN) LAFRENIERÈ It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean-Baptiste LaFrenière on October 16, 2016 at the age of 87 years at Actionmarguerite, St. Vital. Jean was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba on June 23, 1929 to Clément LaFrenière and Cécilia Prud'homme. He attended Provencher School and later worked with his father and brothers at Lafreniere Sheet Metal. He was proud to be a sheet metal worker and enjoyed his work immensely. On June 16, 1951, he married Suzanne Gabrielle Couture in the St. Boniface Cathedral. For many years, they lived in Norwood, where they raised their four children. Jean was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was always telling jokes and liked to make people laugh. He was an active parishioner at L’Eglise Précieux Sang and a dedicated Knights of Columbus - Goulet Council member. He also volunteered for many years at SBGH Pastoral Care. He proudly donated blood 75 times to the Red Cross. He loved walking, baking bread, five pin bowling, shuffleboard and was an avid hockey fan. Jean will be fondly remembered by his daughter Gisèle Drexler (Jaroslav) and sons Georges, Léo and Roland (Corinne). He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren: Martin, Peter (Tracey), Éric (Dania), Rémi (Estèle), Natalie (William) and Pierre; Robert (Ashley), Chantal (Derek), Mélanie (Luis), Liel and Joé; Quinn and Kayla; great-grandchildren Paul'hiver, Charleaux, Davinault, Kirsten, Braydon, Justin, Owen, Thomas, Alex, Emily, Dominic, Alexandre, Zachary, Matéo and Nicolas. He will also be greatly missed by Rose Blouin, his loyal companion for the last 12 years. Jean is also survived by his sister Agnes Hetherington; in-laws: Gisèle LaFrenière and Rita Ryckenboer and many nieces, nephews and friends. Jean was predeceased by his loving wife Suzanne on November 16, 2002, his 10 siblings, as well as many in-laws. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 10:30 a.m. with viewing starting at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Cathedral, 190 Cathedral Ave. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Interment will take place at Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Parkinson Society of Manitoba. We love you.