Roger "Papa" LaFortune

Roger LaFortune Penticton British Columbia passed away peacefully on April 29, 2009 with his family by his side at the age of 75.

He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn in their 27th year of marriage; loving family – five children, Renee (Peter), Paulette (Brad), Paul (Dawn) Christine (Bill) and Julie; six grandchildren, Ryan, Dustin, Robin, Gabriel, Marcel and Jean Paul; three great grandchildren, Aurora, Trenton and Kristien; three sisters, Cecile (Yvon), Lyse and Odette (Gilles) as well as many nephews, nieces and other family members throughout Canada.

Sadly predeceased by his first wife, Carole, parents, Victor and Lucienne LaFortune and sister, Therese. Roger was born in Joliette, Quebec on September 4, 1933. He was the fourth of five children born to the late Victor and Lucienne LaFortune. Roger received his education in Montreal at College, St. Jean Breboeuf.

He then joined the Canadian Armed Forces (Air Force) and served for 33 years being stationed throughout Canada and Europe. In 1956 he married Carole Briscoe and had three beautiful children Renee, Paulette and Paul.

In 1978 Marilyn MacDonald came into his life and they married in 1982 raising her two children Christine and Julie. After his military career he joined the Corps of Commissionaires in Winnipeg and fully retired in 1993.

When Marilyn retired in 1996 they moved to Penticton where they enjoyed a wonderful and full life together, travelling across Canada to visit family and friends as well as taking various bus tours throughout the northwestern states.

Throughout his life, Roger was very active in sports and loved to play hockey. He represented the Armed Forces as a goaltender for several years. He also liked to play baseball and was a skilled back catcher.

Roger loved music and was particularly fond of jazz and big band music. One of his favourites was James Last. He had a powerful baritone voice and was also a very good dancer.

As a retiree, he was active in community theatre as a volunteer as well as performed in various roles in several plays with Sound Stage Productions, Penticton Light Opera Society, Unicorn Productions, Penticton Seniors' Drop-In Centre and Kaledan Community Theatre.

Roger was a generous loving father and husband. He loved entertaining and making people laugh – something he did until his very last days. He will be missed by his best friend Ken Coldicutt and the gang at Cherry Lane, where he regularly met them for afternoon coffee.

The family would like to thank Doctors Yves Clouatre, Bruce Hedges, Neil Crofts, Susan Cooper, Dr. Mostowy, The Integrated Health Centre and staff at the Penticton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care and Moog Friends Hospice House for all their support, guidance and assistance during Roger’s illness.

If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kidney Foundation or Cancer Society in Roger’s memory. The family invites all their friends and acquaintances to a celebration of Roger's life at the clubhouse at Caravilla Estates, # 333, 3105 South Main Street, Penticton on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Condolences may be sent to the family through Providence Funeral Homes at parkview@vip.net.

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