MARTIAL (BOUNCER) LAFLECHE

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MARTIAL (BOUNCER) LAFLECHE After an inspiring seventy-five year adventure with life, Martial LaFlèche from Headingley, MB, has gone on to meet his Creator. He took his last breath on March 23, 2007. His life revolved around Berthe, his loving wife of 52 years, his children, his grandchildren, his faith and his life long passion - Heavy Construction. He lived his entire life in the St. Charles area. Pépère is survived by Berthe and his seven children, their spouses, and 24 grandchildren: Raymond and France LaFlèche (Savard) and children Jean-Luc, Sylvie, Martin, Pierre, Mariève; Cecile and Roger Foidart and children Alain (Natalie Rogers), Joelle, Marc, Eric; Louise LaFlèche and Ted Mickaniec and children Nathalie, Katryna, Marcina; Charles and Christiane LaFlèche (Fillion) and children Stéphane, Janelle, Emilie; Gisele LaFlèche and Ron Guzman and children Dominic, Diego, Annie, Noah; Rita and Colin Bourgeois and children Guy, Sylvain, Yvan; Bibiane LaFlèche and Don Hatcher and children Mika and Juliette. He also leaves behind his sister Monique and Jean Brulé and his five brothers; Alfred and Suzanne; Lionel and Yvette, Sylvio and Agnes, Robert and Alice, Gérard and Céline; and Jo-Jo. He is also survived by in-laws Thérèse Hamon, Rita and Antoine Pit Legault, Alma Gauthier, Claire Brière, Laurette Brière m.o., Aline and Louis LaFlèche. He is fondly remembered by his many nephews and nieces which were near and dear to his heart. He was predeceased by his parents Irenée and Berthe (Doré) LaFlèche; in-laws Anna and Alex Richard, Emile Hamon and Bernard Gauthier. After working for F. A. Mager Construction in the 1950s, he spent almost 40 years at Taillieu Construction. He was an innovator. He operated the first Gradall in Western Canada, and the first CAT-977 Loader. He was instrumental in bringing Taillieu Construction to the sewer and water sector. He was considered a legend as a machine operator and a foreman. Bouncer showed untold dozens of young men how to put in an honest day's work. There was a tremendous amount of mutual respect between him, his co-workers and business partners. The long hours in construction heightened his appreciation for his family life. Papa and Maman had many enjoyable winter vacations all over Canada and the USA. The day of Martial's death marked the first time since 1885 that there have been no direct descendants of Jude LaFlèche living on Lot 74 Roblin Blvd. He loved to spend time with his wife tending to the yard, the garden and to the annual potato crop on this same Lot 74. He was proud of his Farmall, his Caterpillar RD6, his Case loader and his Cub Cadet. He could be found most days working on countless projects in his garage often with his two life long aides and closest friends mononcle Aimé Caron, and his brother Alfred. He did not consider this work at all and could hardly say no when someone asked him to repair an automobile or a small engine. Martial was a deeply religious man. Like his family before him, he was an active participant in the parish of St. Charles. He was a founding member of the Father Allan Hall Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the choir, cleared the snow with his loader and organized many a pancake breakfast. He was always there when an Oblate sister or the parish priest needed a helping hand. Throughout his final journey on this earth many people supported him and his family. We would like to thank the staff from Grace Cancer Care, in particular Dr. Pat Harris and Paulette Sullivan. In the latter stages he received great care from the Central Health Authority Home Care nurses, the fourth floor Grace Hospital nurses and in his final weeks, the many angels at the Grace Hospice. Après presque 76 ans sur cette terre, Martial LaFlèche est allé rejoindre son Créateur dans la vie èternelle. Il était extrêmement fier de son héritage canadien-français et de sa foi catholique. Il s'est assuré, en dépit de sacrifices financiers, que tous ses enfants reçoivent une éducation chrétienne et francophone. Sans éducation formelle il s'est instruit de par la lecture toute sa vie. Ce qui l'intéressait surtout était l'histoire, et il est devenu l'historien familial et paroissial. Son père lui a confié le nom de son cousin, le Père Martial Caron et il a été fidèle aux préceptes de cet ancêtre et ceux de son père tout au long de sa vie. Ses 24 petits enfants continuent ces traditions. Ironiquement il a passé ses derniers jours à l'Hospice Grace, sur les rives de la Rivière Esturgeon, où un autre ancêtre, le Père Louis-François Richer LaFlèche avait établi une chapelle pour les métis de la région en 1851. Après maintes inondations, le Père LaFlèche a déménagé la chapelle où se trouve maintenant l'Eglise de St. Charles. Les prières auront lieu en l'Eglise Saint-Charles, 320 rue St. Charles, Winnipeg, MB le lundi 26 mars, 2007 à 19h30. La Messe de la Résurrection suivra le lendemain en cette même église le mardi 27 mars, dès 11h. Prayers will be held on Monday evening, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, 320 St. Charles St., Winnipeg, MB. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, March 27 at 11:00 a.m., also in the Church, with Rev. Fr. Terance McGrath, presiding. In lieu of flowers, at Martial's request, donations may be made to St. Charles Parish. Martial's arrangements have been entrusted to his friend, Richard Wojcik, Owner of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 25, 2007