MAURICE LaFOREST

It is with great sadness that the family of Maurice LaForest announces his passing on Thursday, April 2, 2015.
He was born Oct. 19, 1928, in Fort Frances, Ont. to Joseph Alphonse and Valerie (Turgeon) LaForest.
Maurice lived his entire life in Fort Frances, with his first home being at 201 Victoria Ave., which now is occupied by the addition to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and his second and final home at 1039 River Rd. W.
He attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Elementary Separate School and then went on to complete his secondary education in Winnipeg, at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic College on the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba, which is the major Catholic higher education institution in Manitoba.
He then began his career with the Canadian National Railway, from which he later retired.
Maurice was united in marriage to Angela (Dillon) LaForest on July 30, 1955 and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
During the past 27 years, “Moe and Ang” travelled to their second home at the Sun Vista Park in Yuma, Ariz. As “Snowbirds,” they forged many lasting friendships with people from all over Canada and the United States.
For many years, Maurice volunteered his time in supplying recorded music by way of his personal stereo equipment to St. Mary’s Church. Before each Mass every weekend, parishioners enjoyed music as they entered the church.
Maurice was an avid golfer and spent many hours on the Kitchen Creek Golf Club course as a longtime member. He also had a love for hockey and baseball, and participated in both sports in his younger years.
Maurice leaves behind his children, Maurette LaForest of Lethbridge, Alta., Guy LaForest of Fort Frances, Ont., and John LaForest (Darla) of Lethbridge, Alta.; daughter-in-law, Janet LaForest of Winnipeg, Man.; grandchildren, Erin Wiedenhoeft of Dryden, Ont., Mark LaForest of Calgary, Alta., Kirstin Wiedenhoeft of Calgary, Alta., Alexis (LaForest) Teeple of Winnipeg, Man., and Adam LaForest of Calgary, Alta.; and great-grandchildren, Taylor Wiedenhoeft, Camryn Dayman, Quintin Dayman, Kingston LaForest, Jet LaForest, and Hunter Teeple.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Alphonse and Valerie (Turgeon) LaForest; brother, Gerard; sisters, Therese, Helene, and Rita; son, Paul, on March 23, 2010; and his dear wife, Angela, on Jan. 11, 2015.
A funeral mass was held Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Victor De Gagné officiating.
The honourary pallbearers were Guy LaForest, John LaForest, Jack Dillon, Louis Dillon, Glenn Colvin, George Nault, William Shine, and Frank Ball.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com