JAMES ANDREW LAROCQUE

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JAMES ANDREW LAROCQUE Peacefully, on April 26, 2001, at St. Boniface Hospital, with members of his family at his side, James Andrew LaRocque, age 54, died after a valiant battle with liver disease and cancer. Jim was a long-time employee of the Department of Government Services of the Province of Manitoba, starting in 1982 as a cleaner at the Legislative Building. He went on to work at 189 Evanson, first as a cleaner and, after upgrading his skills, as an Engineer. Later he worked as Building Manager at 1700 Portage Ave. and then was Building Manager of 1181 Portage Ave. for many years. At the time of his death, he held the position of Engineering Aide 3, in charge of water treatment facilities, at Milner Ridge. For a number of years Jim was a dedicated and hard-working member of the Government Services All Charities Campaign, which was very important to him. He was also a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous and viewed the program as having helped him to overcome many obstacles and find happiness and peace in his life and work. On March 26 of this year he celebrated 19 years of continuous sobriety. In addition to his wife, Kerry Lynne, Jim is survived by his children and stepchildren, Jamie Topp (Linda), Kelly Gossfeld (Joe), Tracy Guyan (Paul), Tracey Hicks (Ray), Yvonne LaRocque, Edward LaRocque and Jason LaRocque; his mother Margaret Dixon; his brothers, Edward LaRocque and Ronnie Lipka, and his sister Linda Lipka, nieces, nephews and 14 grandchildren. Jims life was centered around Kerry and their home and families. He paid attention to his children, stepchildren and grandchildren and was glad for all their accomplishments, large and small. He loved nature and found special solace in the acreage surrounding his and Kerrys home, near Anola. He delighted in annual camping trips to Blue Lake. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Minuk and his team - Rose, Sandy and Vicki; to Dr. McConnell; to the N.E. Manitoba Home Care Services and, especially, Rose, for the care given to Jim and the family; and to the employees of the Government Services Department and Winnipeg Transit as well as many friends for their fundraising activities, donations and their expressions of caring and concern. A Celebration of Jims Life will be held on Monday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m. in the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1501 Waverley St. with Janine Ballingall-Scotten officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jims memory may be made to the Health Sciences Research Foundation, Liver Diseases, MS7 820 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9. LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1501 Waverley Street949-4860

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2001