JEAN LAFRENIERE

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JEAN (JOHN) LAFRENIERE It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean-Baptiste LaFreniére on October 16, 2016, at the age of 87 years, at Actionmarguerite, St. Vital. Jean was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba on June 23, 1929 to Clement LaFreniére and Cécilia Prud'homme. He attended Provencher School and later worked with his father and brothers at Lafreniere Sheet Metal. He was proud to be a sheet metal worker and enjoyed his work immensely. On June 16, 1951, he married Suzanne Gabrielle Couture in the St. Boniface Cathedral. For many years, they lived in Norwood, where they raised their four children. Jean was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was always telling jokes and liked to make people laugh. He was an active parishioner at L'Eglise Précieux Sang and a dedicated Knights of Columbus - Goulet Council member. He also volunteered for many years at St. Boniface General Hospital Pastoral Care. He proudly donated blood 75 times to the Red Cross. He loved walking, baking bread, five pin bowling, shuffleboard and was an avid hockey fan. Jean will be fondly remembered by his daughter Gisele Drexler (Jaroslav) and sons Georges, Leo and Roland (Corinne). He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren: Martin, Peter (Tracey), Eric (Dania), Rémi (Estele), Natalie (William) and Pierre; Robert (Ashley), Chantal (Derek), Melanie (Luis), Liel and Joé; Quinn and Kayla; great-grandchildren Paul 'hiver, Charleaux, Davinault, Kirsten, Braydon, Justin, Owen, Thomas, Alex, Emily, Dominic, Alexandre, Zachary, Matéo and Nicolas. He will also be greatly missed by Rose Blouin, his loyal companion for the last 12 years. Jean is also survived by his sister Agnes Hetherington; in-laws: Gisele LaFreniére and Rita Ryckenboer, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Jean was predeceased by his loving wife Suzanne on November 16, 2002, his 10 siblings, as well as many in-laws. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 10:30 a.m. with viewing starting at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Cathedral, 190 Cathedral Ave. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Interment will take place at Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Parkinson Society of Manitoba. We love you. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2016