RENE LAWRENCE LAVOIE

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RENE LAWRENCE LAVOIE With family at his side, Rene passed away peacefully on December 20, 2013. Rene was a survivor. One of the qualities of a true survivor is they never regret an experience - good or bad - because it is what's learned from life experiences that make us who we are. He was not, by his own admission, a perfect man; he was a man comfortable living his life "out loud" and true to his nature. Rene was resourceful, tenacious, confident and creative and had a sharp wit, short temper and quick intelligence. Rene raised three girls - Lori, Tracey and Sharon in Lac du Bonnet. He was a self taught contractor, land developer and politician. He restored vintage cars, hosted parties with live music, good food and numerous guests and enjoyed boating on the Winnipeg River. His mid-life took him to Honduras, where he navigated through Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvadaor and learned to speak and write Spanish. He met and married his love Iris in Honduras and relocated to Calgary with her and Hector where he worked as a land development specialist. He retired in Miami, MB, where his later health challenges forced him to slow down physically, but his mind remained strong and determined. Rene restored his last vehicle using pulleys and devices, invented by him, to overcome his physical limitations. He regaled stories of his adventures to new friends at The Chatterbox and traveled with Iris to Honduras to visit family and friends. For a country with "nothing" he said Honduras had "everything": family, community, laughter, love and hopefulness. He has asked for his ashes to be buried there. He made his final trip to Honduras in January and to Cuba in March. Since diagnosed with cancer in May, Rene has been in and out of Boundary Trails Hospital. He continued to love his dates with Iris for movies, lunches and dinners, watching Hector's volleyball games, eating ice cream with Tracey and Zion and driving to Still Cove for a fall picnic with Iris, Joanne, Lori, Allen and Avery. Rene also looked forward to visits from stepchildren Franklin and Stefany, grandson Ethan, sisters Joanne and Denise, brother-in-law Tom and friends Tommy, Jake, Ted and Coralee. Rene discovered a side of himself in the last weeks of his life, that he never had the time to develop or appreciate. His vulnerability and need to rely on others for help was humbling. He had a deep gratitude to Dr. Hobson at the Movement Disorders Clinic, Dr. Woelk and the Cancer Care staff, Dr. Lines (who he said could see into his soul) and to the many kind and nurturing nurses and staff at Boundary Trails Hospital. Throughout it all, he maintained his mind, dignity, self respect and broad vision. Rene's last message to us before he gave himself permission to go was to: accept Hector as his son; do not point fingers at one another or run away; share your life with those around you; be there for each other spiritually and emotionally; and be a family. A gathering will be organized in Rene's honour in the early new year. Doyle's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. www.doylesfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Dec 28, 2013

RENE LAWRENCE LAVOIE Rene Lavoie passed away peacefully on December 20, 2013, at the age of 73, with Iris and Tracey at his side. Longer obituary to follow on Saturday, December 28, 2013. Doyle's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. www.doylesfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Dec 24, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 28, 2013