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Larry & Beth Robinson posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts go out to Kay and all of the Lagace family. Larry worked with and around John out on base for about 15 years and always spoke highly of him. May fond memeories help you through this very difficult time.
R
Rick and Kathleen Belkie {nee Killoran} posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Hi
You won't remember me. I was in Germany when my Dad
passed away.My Mom Kathleen Killoran lived across the street.
Mr and Mrs.Lagace were so helpfull to her.Mr. Lagace planted her
garden and many kind things when they were so busy working and raising a family.So sorry to the whole family for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Kathleen Killoran Belkie
T
Tom Laurene and James Kennelly posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
To Kay and family we offer you our deepest sympathy on the passing of John.may the great memories of John make you smile and help you through this sad time
J
John & Anne Kalczak posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Dear Mike, Sandy and the Legace Families:
We're so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a nice man and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. It is always so difficult when we lose a parent. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him but especially by all of his family who loved him so much. We will be unable to attend the service, but you will be in our thoughts and prayers. With Our Deepest Sympathy, John & Anne Kalczak
J
Jeff, Laurie, Simon and Josh Sheehan posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Andre, Wathinee, Tayvin and family
We are sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in our thougths and prayers at this time.
Love
Laurie, Jeff, Simon, Josh, Claudette, Donnie and the neighbour of Curle Ave
C
Camille Weleschuk posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
John Lagace's Eulogy
Thank you for coming today, and sharing your love and friendship for John with our family. I am Camille Weleschuk, John's granddaughter, and with me is Don Teed, a longtime friend to John who served with him in the Air Force. We are both very honoured to be sharing John's history and memories from his friends and family. We all loved him dearly.
Birth and Childhood:
John was born nearly 90 years ago on April 26, 1922 in St. Pascal, Quebec. His parents Adelard and Melina had nine children and John was their second youngest child. He was very close to his siblings Adelard, Alberta and Blanche. John attended school up to grade six.
John recently shared memories of his childhood with his youngest daughter Patricia. He talked to her for hours about how his mom got their family through the depression by doing a lot of gardening and canning. She also took in laundry to keep some money coming in. He said that no one else in town ate like his family did and because of his parents, they did not go hungry during the depression.
When John was 15, he started working as a labourer, and did every kind of job that you could think of. His first full-time job was working in a general store in his hometown.
Career:
John enlisted in the Air Force on January 8, 1941 when he was 18 years old. Having grown up speaking only French, he found the language barrier difficult and often felt that others looked down on him in his early days. Even though he said he felt like a foreigner in his own country, he remained positive about his career choice and commented that 'things could have been a lot worse'.
He worked hard to learn English in between his foot and rifle drills and marches. He signed up for a basic firefighting course but found it challenging with his limited English. During the next five years he moved around a lot to Quebec City; Trenton, Ontario; Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Brantford, Ontario; Gander, Newfoundland; Moncton, New Brunswick; and Goosebay, Labrador.
He was released from the Air Force towards the end of 1946 and spent the next year or so driving a truck in the bush north of Montreal. He said that he was hauling logs to survive. He re-enlisted in 1948 in Quebec City and the moving began again. Ultimately he moved some 28 times over his 30 year career...to 20 communities and nine provinces. From BC to the East Coast and in between, John excelled as a firefighter. His training included supervisor service, a corporal’s exam, automatic fire protection and first aid. He served as a fire inspector and fire chief.
He had many good memories of the service including meeting wonderful friends, enjoying the great challenges and rewards of being in the fire department. He often said that he was very happy to have chosen that career.
I had the privilege of working with John at RCAF Station Cold Lake in the 1960’s.
I remember John was quite a gardener. He planted several tomato plants outside the fire hall. Every morning, he would tend to the plants before the day shift started. He was obtaining a nice crop of green tomatoes. One morning John inspected his crop and much to his surprise he found some fire engine red ones growing on the vine. Some of the fire crew members had spray-painted a few tomatoes red to see John's reaction.
I also remember my son Dwain in the winter calling on John to play hockey on the outdoor hockey rink. One day I asked my son if John was a good hockey player. He said he is ok, but he is really good at shoveling the snow off the rink. John never felt that he was taken advantage of.
John was a very proud father, husband, family man, French Canadian, Quebecer. He was an asset to the firefighting trade and the RCAF.
I am very proud to have known him over the years. Goodbye for now my friend.
Marriage and family:
John was stationed in Vulcan, Alberta as the Officer Commanding when he met his future bride - Kathleen Rebecca Spence at the Nurses Residence.
Kay had arrived there in 1953 to work as a nurse with her friend Mary. Each nurse had to make a two-year commitment as their fare to Canada was paid for. They were required to work there or pay back the difference to the hospital.
Surrounded by their friends, Kay and John were married on September 18, 1954 at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church by Father Connolly. John was 32 years old and his beautiful wife was 28. They were married for 57 years.
Soon after getting married, Kay became pregnant, and like many new moms-to-be, she had terrible morning sickness and was unable to fulfill her two year commitment to the hospital. She had to pay back a portion of her fare for coming to Canada.
Over 15 years, John and Kay would welcome eight children. They were blessed with their first baby ten months after their wedding with Suzanne Denise born at a hospital in Lethbridge. Their second daughter Pauline Ruth arrived in Vulcan. The family of four was transferred to Bagotville and soon welcomed Andreé June at a hospital in Quebec. Two years later their family expanded with Maura Ann. With four baby girls, the family then moved to Lac St. Denis.
In 1962, their first son joined the family. Michael John was born at St. Jerome Hospital in Quebec. A year and a half later, Helen Jane was born at the same hospital. And then came baby girl number six - Mary Patricia in 1965.
John and Kay soon packed up their seven children and transferred to Cold Lake. A couple years later their second son and last child Patrick André joined the family in 1970 at the base hospital. A few months after he was born, the family embarked on their final transfer...this time to CFB Wainwright. In all, the Lagace family moved five times across Quebec and Alberta over those 15 years.
At the young age of 50, John retired after 30 years and 187 days in the service. He and Kay purchased their first home in 1972 in the town of Wainwright for $15,000. They also welcomed a ninth furry child bringing home their dog Bert. John taught Bert how to play hide and seek with the grandchildren...covering Bert's eyes and then telling him to find everyone.
After retirement, John spent his first six weeks working at the Wainwright General Hospital as a painter. He then received a letter from the government offering him a permanent labourer position at Camp Wainwright. He applied at the Heating Plant and worked there for five years. He then transferred to the Supply Section and worked four more years at Camp Wainwright. After 12 years in the public service, John retired for the second time in 1984 at 61 years old.
Meanwhile, Kay joined the workforce again in 1975 at the Wainwright General Hospital as a registered nurse. She eventually transferred to the Wainwright Auxiliary working alternate weekends at Emergency. She retired when she was 65.
Over the years, John and Kay enjoyed a very active life going to the Co-op for coffee; visits to the hospital, auxiliary and lodge; church activities; gardening; Sunday outings for supper; playing crib with friends; and visits from the family. They sold their family home in 2007 with John moving to Frontier Manor and Kay to the Wainwright Auxiliary. John was very pleased with how quickly the house sold, and wished he had priced it even higher!
Family Stories:
John's family and friends have many wonderful and funny stories about John that we are honoured to share with you.
John fancied himself an avid Montreal Canadians fan and a talented gardener. In fact, shortly after selling the family home, John returned to pick raspberries at his old property and he was quite upset when the new home owners removed the house-key that he hid. He had plans to put the raspberries that he had picked into their fridge.
John loved his garden, and would spend hours weeding, watering, and watching his babies grow. He was very proud of his harvest every year and would quickly pull out some potatoes to show family members whenever they visited. He also maintained a second garden across town. He was pleased to see his daughter Maura share his green-thumb. Maura has fond memories of the family collecting raspberries and a competition would quickly begin as to who could collect the most berries.
I remember a phone call from Grandpa shortly after I had delivered a weather forecast on the local television newscast. Grandpa wanted to confirm the frost warning included his area of town, and the following day, he was happy to call back and say that my weather forecast was wrong and his tomatoes were okay!
John was known for his thrifty ways...he had trained all of his children to turn off the lights whenever they left a room and to unplug the toaster, radio or any other appliance when it was not being used. He also rarely used his air conditioning waiting until it was scorching outside - and then telling his son-in-law Dennis that it didn't work correctly because after 10 minutes, the house was still hot. His first grandson Shane was always impressed with his Grandpa's respect for money and his ability to raise eight children and ensure they were all active in the community and sports. When Shane opened his new business a little while ago, he was touched when Grandpa came to visit him and how proud he looked to tour the new store. John also enjoyed having his son Michael own the Petro Canada station in town - and would often brag about the Lagace’s taking over Wainwright. He was also proud of Michael's farm.
John's first grandchild Jen remembers Grandpa's generosity when he would slip his grandchildren and great-grandchildren $20 for their birthdays, but would make it "our little secret" leaving you feeling special and important to Grandpa.
His daughter Jane recalls approaching her Dad for new hockey shin pads as a youngster. He challenged her about why she needed them, and then left the room. A few hours later he returned to Jane with his money clip, and asked how much she needed. That day she saw her father's soft spot and will remember it fondly.
Patricia shares a story of being about ten years old when her Dad surprised her with a trip to the hardware store and bought her a brand new red bike with a shimmery banana seat. As soon as they got home, he reminded her to share the bike with her younger brother Andre. Last year when visiting her Dad, he told her about one of his greatest memories. He loved hearing all of his children get up on Christmas morning with squeals of delight as they saw their stockings full and a tree full of gifts underneath. She was touched to hear about her father's love of his family. She also remembers family meetings every few months when her Dad would remind his children about behaving and helping out their Mother. All of the toys from the cereal boxes would be collected and at the end of the meeting, John would pick names out of a hat and the toys would be distributed.
John often relied on his eldest daughter Denise to look after her siblings when he and Kay would head out on a rare date night. And she would have her hands full, especially when June and Ruth would sneak downstairs and she would chase them back to bed. John always looked to Denise as the trusted family mediator, but thankfully family issues rarely occurred.
John was a very fair man...in fact in his will...he made a point of saying that in his wishes, his children will have first choice in buying anything that he owns at fair market value!
John enjoyed cooking for himself and he was very methodic in arranging his meals. Every breakfast would include the frying pan with bacon, potatoes or eggs. Lunches were always soup made from his garden riches. There were many wonderful meals around the Lagace table with all of the children and grandchildren. Everyone would take a seat with the grandchildren on TV trays on the side, and Grandpa always seated at the head of the table.
John's daughter June shared one of her fondest memories of her Dad at the supper table. She sat by him every meal, and was always on guard for a smack on the back side of the head when she or her siblings misbehaved. On this given night, her Dad had sent her to her room. As she was squeezing behind his chair, a pea rolled off her plate onto her Dad's bald head and trickled in behind his glasses. After seeing her life flash before her eyes, June bolted from the table only to hear an uproar of laughter behind her. John quickly turned to Kay and said 'and you...you're just as bad as the rest of them!' To this day, June and Kay still laugh about this.
John would head to the Co-op for coffee at the same time every morning for a visit with his friends. Sometimes when he would return home, his granddaughter Erin would come over during her lunch break from school. She would watch Grandpa cook up his famous brunch of fried potatoes, homemade jelly, and usually turkey and she would be eating her Zoodles and eyeing up his meal. Eventually he would invite her to share his food and Erin always enjoyed this special time.
After most meals, us grandchildren would also notice Grandpa head to the root cellar with his glass of orange juice. We used to tease him about his special OJ. He would often reward our good behaviour with a fruit candy from his metal tin by his couch. We would not dare sit on his side of the couch, but as long as we were quiet, we could watch the Price is Right with him. I always thought his dream was being on the Price is Right, but now that I think about it, he was already living his dream. He was very proud of their family home...having built the second floor himself...and raising such accomplished children. When visiting with him on Wednesday, he told me that he had the smartest family in the world. He was proud to have a doctor in the family with his daughter Ruth. He enjoyed showing off his brain with all kinds of mind games - always solving them. He also fancied himself a great bookkeeper and held on to every warranty and operators manual...giving Jen a copy for the deep freeze that he had given to her five years earlier. He would always compliment Jen on her knack for picking out the shirts that he liked to wear. They had to be short-sleeved, one pocket on the chest with snap closures. He made sure to correct other family members when they incorrectly bought him a shirt and he would suggest that they talk to Jen the next time.
John's son-in-law Dennis remembers John's strong faith...attending church religiously. He recalls June telling him that she saw her Dad kneeling at his bedside saying his prayers when he was well into his 80's.
John was also very proud of his heritage. His daughter Denise and son-in-law Ken remember a special trip when John travelled with their family to his hometown of St. Pascal. John made sure to take Ken to his favourite watering hole where Ken was the only Anglo there.
Final Chapter:
John has a large extended family...with 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with a ninth on the way. June and Shane remember a special time when great-grandson Kaiden was celebrating his first birthday. Kaiden and John share the same birthday...and as Kaiden turned one, John turned 80. John was showing off baby Kaiden to all of his friends and said 'meet my replacement...but I'm not ready to go yet!'
He was thrilled when Andre and Wathinee welcomed Tayvin Lagace to the family...and he had Tayvin to carry on the family name. John would often say that he was adding to Alberta's population with every grandchild and great-grandchild. Just two weeks ago, he added another great-grandson with baby Mahat from granddaughter Amanda and her husband Yaskin. Another great-grandchild is on the way from grandson Jessie and his wife Stacy.
John was a proud man, and loved the family and life that he and Kay had built. Driving up to his home, you would often see him buffing his vehicle with its exterior and interior spotless. Andre was the only child who was allowed to drive John's vehicle because with eight children, he said it would have been costly to let all of them drive his car. A couple years ago, he purchased a scooter to replace his car, and he was always worried about plugging in the battery.
John would tell stories about how we won the war and he managed to get the military to pay for his hearing aid and batteries. It's a bit of a mystery why he always had his hearing aids turned down...though I do remember a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's as a small child and getting scared in the middle of the night. They welcomed me to cuddle up in their bed. I can still picture laying in between them as they snored in sync. Together, their snores were so loud that I just laid there with my eyes open wondering how I could crawl out of their room to get some sleep!
Grandpa was a very funny man...always with a clever remark on hand. In the hospital when he was talking to my husband Travis, the nurse told him that if he kept doing so well he may be released soon. He quickly said 'I can be ready in ten minutes!' He spent that afternoon teasing his great-granddaughter Macey by hiding the Easter egg she had painted with Grandma Kay in his blankets. In his final hours, he also joked with Jen and me about having a marching band waiting for him when he got out of the hospital. He would be so honoured by today's firefighter farewell. Thank you to everyone involved with this special tribute...your presence means so much to our family - thank you so much.
John had a hard time saying "I love you" but every now and then it would slip out by accident. Today, as he looks down on us, he will know how much we love him...and we will all feel his love for us.
God Bless you Grandpa - we love you.
M
Mary Anne (Pinkoski) Danny, Connor and Tate MacDonald posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Dear Jane, Patricia, June, Denise, Ruth, Maura, Michael, Andre and families, We were sad to hear of your dad's sudden passing and want you to know you were in our thoughts and prayers during our Easter Dinner this year. Take care of yourselves--we will be sure to look in on your mom when we are next home! With love and MANY fond memories, Mary Anne
R
Rick and Gail Smith posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
To all the Lagace Families: Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad and Grandpa. He lives on in all of you and leaves a proud heritage that will go on forever.
S
Stew and Lily Skinner and family posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Our sincere condolences to the family of John and family.May your memories of a fine father and husband give you comfort in the days to come.
P
Peggy and Clair Lovig posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Dear Kay and family,
I was so very sorry to hear that John passed away. He was a good man who will be greatly missed. I know he'll be sitting with the angels in Heaven.
Peggy Lovig
J
Jim and Helen Chesterman posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Dear Kay and family members,
It is with great sadness that we learned via email about the passing of your dear John. For nearly a year he has been our next door neighbour at the Frontier Manor. We so enjoyed his company, his quick witted sense of humour and and his overwhelming skill at card games. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. We both will miss his kindly face in our manor when we return from Mexico City. Sincerely, Helen and Jim
S
Sharon Herauf, Bryan, Chelsea and Ashlee Bokor posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Mrs. Lagace, Denise, Ruth, June, Maura, Michael, Jane, Patricia, Andre and families
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the passing of Mr. Lagace. There are never the right words for this moment so please just know we are sending our love.
Sharon
J
Jule (makar) Marquardt posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Mike & Sandy
My condolences to you and all your families members on the passing of
Mike dad. There are never words to help with the pain at this time but
it always helps to know that people are thinking and praying for you at
your time of sorrow.
God bless you all Jule
N
Norman and Margaret McCrea, David McCrea, Jennifer McCrea, Robert Logie, Anna Logie posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Hello Kathleen and Family,
In regards to John's passing, we offer our condolences and wish it were possible for us to be there. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
From Norman, Margaret and family
T
Todd & Sandra Creech posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
To the lagace families. Thinking of you at this time, as I know you are aware Sandra and I are out of the country, but our thoughts are certainly with you.
P
Phoebe Edmond posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Please accept my sincere condolences. Death continues to be our great enemy. However we can find hope and comfort in the words of Revelation 21:4 when "death will be no more, nor mourning, nor pain be anymore..."
B
Bev & Rhea Lacelle (Lethbridge,Alberta) posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Our thoughts and sympathy are with the fsmily. John was loved and respected by friends and family alike.. Treasure the memories of John and feel the joy as remembering puts a smile on your lips. John will like that.
sincerely,
Bev & Rhea
B
Bernard & Lillian Schoenberger posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
We would like to extend our sympathy to the Lagace family on the passing of our friend John. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May the peace of Christ be with all of you.
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