JOSEPH LAURENT ANTOINE GRANDMONT

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JOSEPH LAURENT (aka LAWRENCE) ANTOINE GRANDMONT Lawrence passed away peacefully the evening of May 10, 2015 at his residence in Betel Home Selkirk, MB at the age of 87 years. Born on July 12, 1927, he was the sixth child of eight children born to Georges and Rosalie (Lange) Grandmont. Left to cherish Lawrence's memory is his wife Irene, the love of his life for 62 years, his sons John (Joan), Ronald (Dawn), a daughter Judy, two grandson, Cory and Derek (Holly) and three great grandchildren; his sister Florence (Walt) Mikkelsen, sisters-in-law Ethel (Raymond) Grandmont, Darlene (Frank) Grandmont. His special friends were Irene's siblings, Glen (Mary Ann) Rothwell, Ed (Judy) Rothwell and Edith (Rothwell) Jeffery as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Lawrence was predeceased by his father Georges in 1945 and mother Rosalie in 1984, siblings Yvonne (Marcel Raffard), Leo (Mary Siska), Raymond, Emil (Lydia Krychuk), Frank, and Cecile (Dave Oliver). Lawrence was born in St. Norbert, MB where he spent his early childhood on the family farm. A growing family was an incentive for Georges and Rosalie to relocate from their river lot in St. Norbert to a larger farm where there was room for the family to prosper. The booming years of the roaring 1920s ended in 1929 with the Depression and the drought of the 1930s. This was not a good time for the family to move. Their first move was to Dufrost in March 1931 and then to Meadows in June 1933. With little rain, rust in the grain and grasshoppers, very little crop was harvested at either location. The final move was to Argyle in 1940. This was a new start and must have seemed like heaven. Lawrence and his family found that through hard work and determination, any mountain could be moved. Lawrence and his brother Frank started a land clearing and breaking business in 1948 called Grandmont Brothers. They were both very interested in farming but with limited land and tight money they needed a different angle. They purchased two D2 caterpillars and a heavy disk. They cleared hundreds of acres of bush and broke the land so the owners could grow crops. This business continued until the 1960s. In 1953 Lawrence married Irene Rothwell, a young lady from the neighboring village of Woodlands. They lived their entire life in the Argyle district where they raised their family. In 1975 Lawrence partnered with his son John to expand their grain farm and establish a herd of purebred Charolais cattle carrying the name Charmont Farms. This breeding herd still operates today. Lawrence was truly a community oriented person volunteering for any position that was needed. Many years were spent on the Argyle Hall Board and the Argyle Curling Club, where he held the position of Secretary when the new rink was built in 1977. A position that he was very proud of holding was that of being a councillor for Ward 6 in the Rural Municipality of Woodlands for 27 years. Many new roads were built, land was drained and new infrastructure was put in place. This was a job where he felt he really made a difference. His greatest happiness was to be able to work and live near his family. He shared our accomplishments and was there to console us in difficult times. We would like to acknowledge the excellent care he received in Stonewall Hospital from Dr. Pinegar and the staff. Selkirk Betel Home was a place where he became a part of a new family. The nursing staff there was always kind and caring and truly enjoyed his company. The level of compassion that they showed in his last days was much appreciated. A Celebration of Lawrence's life will be held Saturday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Mackenzie Funeral Chapel in Stonewall, MB. A time of fellowship will follow in the Stonewall Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Tea Fund", Selkirk-Betel Home Foundation, Selkirk, MB. R1A 0B6. MacKenzie Funeral Home Stonewall 204-467-2525 mackhome@mts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2015