Born at home on Drolet Street in Montreal on February 11, 1934 and died at home in Greenfield Park on August 3, 2019. It is with deep sadness that we announce Jean’s peaceful passing following a long fight against COPD and heart problems. Predeceased by his parents François LaRoche and Fernande Dussault and his older brother Albert LaRoche (Dec. 27/17). Survived by his loving wife, Linda Alexander, sister-in-law Gertrude Duquette, and brothers Gilles and Louis. Nephews and nieces: François, Philippe, Isabel, Dominique and Julie LaRoche; Elayne Sandahl of Ottawa, Alex Sandahl (Carol Sauvé) of Toronto and Christine Sandahl (Harry Bland) of Port Hawkesbury. Special grand-nieces and grand-nephew: Hilary Peck, Lesley and Melissa Bland and Adrien LaRoche; and countless other grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Jean’s family moved to St. Lambert May 1, 1940 and Jean became fluently bilingual as most of his boyhood pals were English-speaking. Jean attended primary/elementary school at Acadamie des Anges and Acadamie St. Michel in St. Lambert; secondary school at Seminaire St. Jean, Catholic High and College St. Marie for the classical curriculum in Montreal. He did some post-secondary studies at HEC-Place Viger and Sir George Williams. Jean worked at Benjamin Small accountants, Pesner Brothers, Canadian Oil on Bridge Street, which was then bought by Shell Canada, from which he retired in the spring of 1993 after over 30 years of service.
Jean’s passions were sports and cooking. First, St. Lambert CSA softball, baseball and football; swimming at St. Lambert Beach before the St. Lawrence Seaway; a junior in 1946 at Brooklyn Park Tennis Club and then again from 1965 (where he met Linda) to the early 1990s; billiards; a summer camp in the early 1950s at Delorimier Downs, honing his skills as a catcher; skiing at Sutton throughout the 1960s and ‘70s; and many ski trips to Europe and 10-pin bowling. Upon retirement he took up golf at Hemmingford Golf Club (1993-2006) and then St. Lambert Municipal, where he scored a hole-in-one on June 7, 2016. When Jean had to give up golf at the end of the 2017 season, he continued to follow sports on television. He did all the cooking at home and entertaining for special family occasions. Jean enjoyed playing bridge and cribbage as a social member at the St. Lambert Curling Club. Jean had a quick dip into the arts, being part of the stage crew for Lyric Theatre’s 1993 production of “Fiddler on the Roof” and doing set construction for 1997’s “Company” at Centaur.
Jean was a quiet man, kind and considerate, a survivor and a warrior against his many health issues. Special thanks to neighbours Glenda and Bruce, Usha and Baba; CLSC respiratory therapist, Jovette Fournier; and Dr. Lorraine Déry, who followed his case from August 2008.
Celebration of Life Friday, August 16, 2019, 11am (visitation from 9am) and Visitation Thursday, Aug. 15, 2-5pm and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Fondation Charles-Lemoyne; Heart and Stroke Foundation; Quebec Lung Association; or the charity of your choice.
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