Obituary for Don Lafrance
Donald “Don” Raymond Lafrance of Medicine Hat left us on Sunday, February 4th, 2024, at the age of 88 years.
Don was born to Emile and Lilianne Lafrance. They lived in Eastend, Saskatchewan with his younger brother, Philip. His older sister, Mae, died of cancer at age seven, when Don was just two.
As a young boy, Don had an insatiable curiosity for how things worked and a keen sense of adventure. This, in combination with a strong work ethic, lead to all sorts of adventures and vocations. At the age of 10, his tinkering with watches lead to having a little watch repair counter at Eastend’s local hardware store where he also delivered groceries on his little noisy Hudson Auto Cycle. As a young man, he worked for the School Unit building schools, while painting barns and quonsets on the side. Always creative, he designed a paint sprayer to cover huge areas more easily. He did survey work, and even helped a friend blow up beaver damns with dynamite. He had started Lafrance Construction, building houses around Eastend, including the Catholic Church in 1966. Don and his young family moved to Medicine Hat in 1970, where he continued working as a carpenter. After his retirement, he was employed by Windsor Plywood. While in his spare time, he loved to fish, and tinker on his 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and BSA 650cc.
Don met the love of his life, Patricia Stebbins at a dance in Swift Current. They married in 1958 and jived their way along for 65 years. Laurie (Kevan) was their first born in 1960, followed by Dana (Beverly) in 1961, and Tyler (Tammy) in 1969.
Don predeceased his brother, Phil; his grandchildren, Claire and Aidan; and his nieces, Leanne, Lisa, and Rochelle. He was predeceased by in-laws, Bryan and Minnie Stebbins; sister-in-law, Carol; and nephew, Mitchell.
Don was a real animal lover, befriending foxes, skunks, porcupines, beavers, bunnies and even a moose - not to mention all the family pets. He was very musically inclined. He played both the trumpet and saxophone, sang, and he could whistle like a bird. He loved to laugh at jokes, especially his own!
Don will be remembered by friends and family for his wicked sense of humour, crafty card playing and enthusiastic storytelling.
Don was born to Emile and Lilianne Lafrance. They lived in Eastend, Saskatchewan with his younger brother, Philip. His older sister, Mae, died of cancer at age seven, when Don was just two.
As a young boy, Don had an insatiable curiosity for how things worked and a keen sense of adventure. This, in combination with a strong work ethic, lead to all sorts of adventures and vocations. At the age of 10, his tinkering with watches lead to having a little watch repair counter at Eastend’s local hardware store where he also delivered groceries on his little noisy Hudson Auto Cycle. As a young man, he worked for the School Unit building schools, while painting barns and quonsets on the side. Always creative, he designed a paint sprayer to cover huge areas more easily. He did survey work, and even helped a friend blow up beaver damns with dynamite. He had started Lafrance Construction, building houses around Eastend, including the Catholic Church in 1966. Don and his young family moved to Medicine Hat in 1970, where he continued working as a carpenter. After his retirement, he was employed by Windsor Plywood. While in his spare time, he loved to fish, and tinker on his 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and BSA 650cc.
Don met the love of his life, Patricia Stebbins at a dance in Swift Current. They married in 1958 and jived their way along for 65 years. Laurie (Kevan) was their first born in 1960, followed by Dana (Beverly) in 1961, and Tyler (Tammy) in 1969.
Don predeceased his brother, Phil; his grandchildren, Claire and Aidan; and his nieces, Leanne, Lisa, and Rochelle. He was predeceased by in-laws, Bryan and Minnie Stebbins; sister-in-law, Carol; and nephew, Mitchell.
Don was a real animal lover, befriending foxes, skunks, porcupines, beavers, bunnies and even a moose - not to mention all the family pets. He was very musically inclined. He played both the trumpet and saxophone, sang, and he could whistle like a bird. He loved to laugh at jokes, especially his own!
Don will be remembered by friends and family for his wicked sense of humour, crafty card playing and enthusiastic storytelling.