DENIS LAFRENIERE

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DENIS LAFRENIERE It is with sadness that the family of Denis Lafrenière announce his passing on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at the age of 83 years. He is predeceased by his parents Clément and Alma (nee Côté), his daughter Anita, his grandson Timothy, four brothers and one sister. Denis will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 wonderful years, Annette (née Lambert), his children: Paul (Lynn), Denise (Dean) Willerton, David (Edite), Diane (Tim) Sturby; his grandchildren: Jason, Brian (Christie); Angela (Kevin) Wiebe, Andy (Andrea) Willerton, Marc (Charlene) Willerton; Megan and Donna; Daniel and Andrew Sturby; his great-grandchildren: Kingston, Averie; Miley; Isaac, Austin, Lucas Wiebe; Seth, Owen, Katie Willerton; and Oliver Willerton. He is also survived by four sisters, Lorette Anderson, Cécile (Placid) Châtelain, Lucy Stuart, Yvette Weaver, two brothers Henri (Shelagh) and Emile (Debbie) and Cécile Lafrenière as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Denis was born on August 28, 1931 in Notre Dame des Lourdes, MB. When he was 12, his family moved to River Road in St. Vital and then moved to the home his family built at 22 Hindley Street. In 1952, Denis joined the RCAF and served for 20 years travelling east to west in Canada as well as a four year stay in Baden-Baden, Germany. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, the family moved back to Manitoba and settled at 851 Dugald Road, which was "home" from 1972 until 2013. Denis was employed at the Manitoba Museum for 20 years. There he built many of the audio visual and displays that we all enjoy to this day. Denis' many hobbies included skeet and trap shooting, he was an avid dart player, a great curler and golfer and loved to knit mittens for the church and his grand and great-grandchildren! He was president of the St. Boniface East Community Club, Baseball Coach, Hockey Coach and was readily available when other help was needed. Denis joined the St. Vital Curling Club in 1971 where he soon found a great circle of lifelong friends. He is a Past President and honorary lifetime member of the St. Vital Curling Club. Denis found himself busy and enjoyed a long fulfilling time at the curling club until 2013. Denis golfed and marshalled for many years at the Rat River Golf Course. He and his wife Annette spent many summers at their cottage in St. Malo. If they weren't golfing, they were tearing down another wall and making their farm house the cottage of their dreams. Some part of their winters were spent down south in either Texas or Arizona as the golf courses in Winnipeg were usually snow covered! Upon selling their cottage, they became members of the Transcona Golf Club, where they did meet another circle of friends. Denis did some volunteering there as well. Even though Denis found his shaking from Parkinsons difficult at times, he still was able to bring home some trophies from the dart league that he joined at the Transcona Golf Club. Denis was also a member of the St. Vital and Norwood Legion for over 40 years and a member of the men's club at Holy Family Parish. As you can see, Denis was a highly active man and had a great love for sports and was never shut down even in the midst of adversity. The family would like to thank Dr. Fredrick Ball and the staff on 4B and 4E at the St. Boniface Hospital for their amazing care given to our Dad. Eulogy and tributes will take place at 1:45 p.m. followed by the funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14 at the Holy Family Parish, 778 Archibald Street, a small luncheon will follow. An interment will be held at the Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens on Thursday, October 16 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denis' name to the Parkinson Society Manitoba, 414 Westmount Drive, Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2, (204) 786-2637. Desjardins 233-4949 1-888-233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca
Publish Date: Oct 11, 2014

DENIS LAFRENIERE Peacefully at the St. Boniface General Hospital on Sunday October 05, 2014, Denis, beloved husband of Annette Lafrenière (née Lambert) passed away at the age of 83 years. Eulogy and Tributes will take place at 1:45 p.m. followed by the funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14 at the Holy Family Parish, 778 Archibald Street. Longer obituary to follow in Saturday's edition. DESJARDINS 233-4949 1-888-233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca
Publish Date: Oct 7, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2014