ADOLPHUS OTTO (AL) LAROCQUE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ADOLPHUS OTTO (AL) LAROCQUE Born July 24, 1921 in Chapple, ON. Passed away peacefully in the Nanaimo General Hospital on February 15, 2006 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Rode the rails during the Depression. Got work in a sawmill in Ontario at the beginning of the Second World War. Volunteered for Canadian Army (Active Force) and enlisted in February 15, 1941. Served in Canada with the Royal Canadian Artillery, then transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers. Served with 11 Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, in Northern France, the Netherlands and Germany as a lowbed tractor driver for a bulldozer. Worked on numerous bridging projects, many under German fire, including the crossing of the Rhine River at Emmerich. Discovered that driving the largest truck on a battlefield was a great way to attract the enemy's attention. Remained in the Canadian Army after the war, transferring to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Married Laura Phyllis Nunn on March 16, 1946. Had three sons with her, Vincent Allen, Gilford Thomas and Louis Donald. Served on Canadian Army bases in the Yukon, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. Served with the first United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt, Israel, Syria and Lebanon in 1956 to 1957. Left the Canadian Army in the late 1960's and worked in the Security Department of the University of British Columbia until the 1980's. Retired with his loving wife Laura to Nanaimo, who sadly predeceased him by 10 years. Survived by his brother Lou Larocque; his sister Elsie Keno; his sons, Vincent (Juliana), Gilford (Bonny), Louis (Lucy); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fond of boats and fishing. Loved to travel to the Yukon, Ontario and Manitoba to visit family and friends. Travelled to Ottawa and the Netherlands in May 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, as an official representative of the Royal Canadian Engineers. A great father, grandfather and gentleman always helpful and generous both to family and friends. Memorial service to be held at First Memorial Funeral Services, 1720 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo, BC at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 25. Condolences may be directed to the family at valarocque@shaw.ca or to #804 - 1 Chapel St., Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H1. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Canadian Cancer Society. First Memorial Funeral Services Nanaimo, British Columbia (250) 754-8333

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2006