JOSEPH (JOE) LAFRENIERE

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JOSEPH (JOE) LAFRENIERE Peacefully and with great dignity, on Thursday, May 12, 2005, at the Beausejour Hospital, the Lord our Saviour called his servant Joe, to his eternal Home, at the age of 77 years. Joe was born September 11, 1927 in Portage La Prairie. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife May of 56 years of marriage; four children, Keith Lafreniere, Donna Lashek (Larry), Glen Lafreniere, and Laura Gmiterek (Randy). Joe will be greatly and sadly missed by his four grandsons, Kelvin, Derek (Cheryl), Nicholas and Jesse; brother Dennis Lafreniere (Linda) of Scarborough, ON; sisters, Eleanor Beck (Don) of Sorento, BC, Theresa Beddome (Don) of Barons, AB, Delores Orton (Gerald) of Langley, BC and Linda Stewart (Don) of Winnipeg; sister-in-law Wilma Lafreniere (Dan) of Portage La Prairie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Helena; brothers, Delphin (Dean), Raymond and Donald; and his sister Mariange. In 1990, Joe retired from the Town of Beausejour after 25 years as Supervisor of Public Works. He spent his time at his cottage at Bird River. Joe enjoyed fishing and travelling with his motor home to places like Alaska and the east coast. He was the greatest Dad and was a very compassionate and caring person who cared deeply for his children and grandchildren, always putting them first. Dad had a great love of life and lived each day to the fullest. Even though he suffered in silence, he always wore a smile and was more concerned about the health and welfare of everyone else. We will cherish his memory and he will never be forgotten. Joe's funeral service will be held on Monday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. in Grace Lutheran Church, 418 Gertrude Ave., Beausejour, MB with Pastor Harold Borchardt officiating. Interment will follow in the Beausejour Cemetery, Beausejour, MB. Pallbearers will be his children and grandchildren. Our family would like to thank the staff at the Pink Desk at Health Sciences Centre and the Beausejour Hospital for the care and compassion shown to Dad. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Box 538, Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0. In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away. You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting Until the very end. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, Come with Me. So when we saw you sleeping So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back To suffer that again. Always remembered, always cherished. Each memory a part of us, A part of you, never to be lost. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 14, 2005