James Laffoley

• A favorite used car ad of Dad’s from the 1970’s

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Brian Laffoley on July 30, 2025 at the remarkable age of 90.

His very full life began on May 21, 1935 in Montreal, Quebec. Jim was the son of James Charles Laffoley and Mary Roche. He attended McGill University studying Geology while playing both hockey and football. Married to Dolores Wybou in 1959, who he lost in 2020, they settled in Brossard and together they successfully raised four children- Nancy, MaryBeth, Cheryl and Jim. He was Uncle Jim to Stephen Smith, the son of his late sister Margaret Ann Smith. Jim is survived by his sister Patricia Laffoley. Grandpa to 12 and Great Grandpa to 19, he managed to carve out a special connection with each one, making sure they knew they were special to him. He was an avid outdoorsman and passionate duck hunter who consistently espoused the virtues of responsible conservation through his lifetime support of Ducks Unlimited. He was a self taught mechanic and carpenter - capable of repairing or building virtually anything with just about anything that was available, showing outstanding (and sometimes outlandish!) resourcefulness. He was an accomplished artist whose decoy sculptures won accolades and awards across North America. He was a published author with a book about one of his own favorite artists. He was a curious person who was always learning. A voracious reader, he typically had 5 books on the go at any given time. He was a music lover and natural musician who could pick up and play any instrument, even a broken accordion that he once found in the trash and fixed himself. Backyard BBQs, hibachi bonfires and “Oh Suzanna” banjo singalongs in the summertime were legendary. Summer vacations and Christmas tree cutting at the old homestead in the country were amongst many treasured annual traditions that he faithfully catalogued with photographs, always having a camera at the ready. He was a proud Canadian who sang the anthem and flew the Maple Leaf outside his home - he grew and gave away hundreds of maple tree saplings from seed every Victoria Day to celebrate his love of Canada. His wit and humor was abundant. He had no problem capturing your attention with a joke or funny story, and would willingly listen when someone needed to talk. After working his way through school as a part time mechanic for Trans Canada Airlines, he spent a 30 year career at Acme Strapping solving problems for clients all across Eastern Canada. Once retired, Jim became a well known advocate, speaker and, for many, a sponsor - attending meetings, taking everything one day at a time, and cherishing the fellowship that it provided. Jim was a good man who has gone to a better place. And we live in a better place because Jim was a good man.

In memory of Jim and the legacy he leaves us all, it would be appropriate to ask you to share a happy story over a hot dog lunch with someone who needs a smile. He would like that because making sure others are happy and have what they need is what Jim’s life was all about. And he loved hot dogs.