Alphonse LaRoche

Alphonse was born on April 15 ,1917 in the little town of Otterburne , Manitoba to Alphonsine and Joseph LaRoche . He was the eldest of 9 children.

He married his true love Laurence (Vien) on June 22 ,1939. Together they had 5 children. Four in Manitoba and a fifth in Fort Frances 10 years after their move.

Alphonse worked for the Flinders dairy delivering milk, at first with horse drawn wagons then a truck, and also did occasional painting jobs . He always kept himself busy . He was known for his strength and hard working ethics.

Alphonse enjoyed vegetable gardening,woodworking,painting,camping,spending time with his family and coffee time at McDonald’s . He loved spending as much time as he could outdoors riding around on his scooter .

He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus and the St Mary’s Catholic Church , rarely missing a Saturday evening mass.

He was known for his love of dancing and could often be seen kicking up his heels at many of the community dances, especially his Sunday evenings at Border bar.

His true pride was his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, that ran all the way to 5 generations.

He was predeceased by his wife of 71 years (Laurence Vien) ,daughter Lea Kropelin, sons in law Philip Degagne , Rick Selin and Wally Dubinsky, brothers Paul, Étienne, Pierre, David, and Leon, sister Marie-Rene, sisters in law Noella and Marie Rose.

He is survived by daughters Pauline Wilson(Arden) , Irene Degagne, Sandra Selin(Jake), son Roger(Lynn), sons in law Maurice Smiegielski and Harvey Kropelin , brothers Albert, Francois(Marie), sisters in law Evelyn, Lucille,Carmen and Elaine , all his grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

Cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of life will be held Friday, May 18 ,2018 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m..

All of his grandchildren will be Honourary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Native Friendship Centre’s life long care program . A service he was really grateful for.