With his family by his side, Lanny William LaBelle, of Sioux Narrows Ont., passed away peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. at the age of 68.
He is survived by his spouse of 21 years, Colleen Fadden; children, Stacy (Greg), Lianne (Dale)l; grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa), Meagan, Bradley, Kaitlyn, and Emma; great-grandchildren, Brian and Kiera; stepchildren, Susan (Steve) and Jim (Connie); grandchildren, Kassandra (Bret) and April (Mike); great-grandchildren, Callum and Ariella; siblings, Joanne, Karen (Harold), and Dale (Donna); and brother-in-law, Allan.
He was predeceased by parents, William and Lillian; and sisters, Jackie and Carmella.
Lanny was born Nov. 17, 1946 in Fort Frances and lived in Dance Township, Ont. for 48 years. In his younger years, he was a hard-working logger.
He later started working construction in Thompson, Man. with his friends, the late Bob Steele and Ben Van Drunen. He then continued logging in the Atikokan, Ont. area until the Boise Cascade strike of 1978.
Following that, Lanny and his brother, Dale, started their own logging company, working side-by-side for many years. Lanny also operated a successful tree-planting company with his first wife, Judy.
He was a fan of sports, playing both hockey and fastball.
A happy time in Lanny’s life was when he relocated to Sioux Narrows with Colleen and had the luxury of living right on Lake of the Woods. He spent many hours out on his balcony enjoying the view of the lake, gardening, being out in the boat fishing, and taking evening walks with Colleen and his best friend, Bud.
Many evenings were spent playing cards and visiting with friends. Lanny especially enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren, and later was fortunate enough to be blessed with great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Lanny’s life will be held Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the United Church in Sioux Narrows.
Interment will take place Friday, May 6, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Emo cemetery.
The honourary pallbearers will be Glen Aveyard, Donny Munroe, Keith Monroe, Jerry Fugate, Jim Minerich, and Erick Bennett.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may offered at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
LANNY WILLIAM LaBELLE
