August 27, 1953 – August 08, 2022
It is with great sadness that the family of André Lafrenière announces his peaceful passing. He has gone home to be with his Gloria, his parents, and grandparents.
For those that knew André, and he knew a great many people as he would talk to everyone about anything, the most important thing to him was his family. As many people also know, our family is not only a blended family but also a family of the heart.
Born the second child of Alain and Rose Lafrenière, André was raised with siblings – Léon, Gilles (Joanne), Paul (Gloria) and Cécile (Bernie Lowe, dec) to have a strong sense of the importance of home, family and community. This was accomplished in many ways: weekends at the cabin, lending a hand or 10 to local farmers, church on Sundays, and community volunteering. However, the large family celebrations, attended by all who could make it, is where the strong love of extended family is rooted. Birthdays, weddings and funerals are always attended, never missing an opportunity to connect and reinforce the strength of the family.
From his family’s home to a family home of his own, André and wife Gloria (nee Baker) forged a new branch to the family tree. André worked for the Paper Mill in Pine Falls for over 35 years; we have all heard the mill stories, he had immense pride in his job but that always came second to his love of family & friends. André loved curling in both the men’s league with Puck, his best friend, and in mixed bonspiels with his wife, Gloria. In the summer, you’d find him at the baseball diamond playing Slo-Pitch with the Mill electrical crew, “Ohm-Base”.
On weekends, he would spend time with Gloria and his three girls: Chantelle (Josh), Neeks (Paul), and Bean (Adam); camping, trips to Winnipeg with the Naults, backyard bonfires, fishing or swimming at the family cabin in Hillside Beach.
Later in life, André welcomed Janice, Mat (Stephanie) and Merisa (Kyle) into his family. André delighted in teaching Janice and the kids the importance of family gatherings, the value found in extended family, and the strength to be found in community. Whether it was weekends at the cabin, family trips or visiting with extended family, the message remained consistent, its all about family.
Like oil and water, a newly blended family doesn’t always readily mix, but with time and perseverance we managed to create a rather large, loud, and loving family. A family that grew with new spouses, new “kids” and best of all grandchildren. André truly loved being a grampa and a pepere to Ashton, Hayley, Liam, Emily, Henry, James, Oliver, and Finnley. They will have great memories of pepere/grampa in the pool and ice cream on the deck.
The family has many great memories of our time together and have spent many hours reminiscing and telling André stories. We have all heard his stories of his grandparent’s farm, large family gatherings with both his father’s and mother’s families, tales of his childhood, and stories about his large family. We have also heard a great many stories of his adventures with friends, hunting, fishing, curling, and of course his time spent at fly-in fishing lodges.
André was a master story teller and a master of the art of chit chat. We invite his friends and family to stop by Great Falls Community Hall on Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm to share stories and memories of André.
In lieu of donations, André’s wish would be that you enjoy time with your loved ones.
Friends and family are invite to visit to share memories and condolences on André’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
Please note: there is a delay between when a comment is submitted and when it appears on the memorial page.
Thoughts and prayers going out to your family and children.
My deepest sympathies to all of you.
When I met Cecile and we became friends and then we quickly became like sisters. When that happened I gained a new family that treated me like one of their own.
I have so many fond memories, laughter and tears of our times together. Andre always had a smile to share and was laughing all the time. You just felt so much better when he was around because his joy was infectious.
When I lost my brother at a young age I quickly had 4 that jumped right in. How blessed I was.
Andre you will dearly be missed.
We were lucky to have had André be a part of our extended family over these last few years. He always made it his job to ensure everyone was smiling and laughing. He will be dearly missed.
Our deepest sympathies to all of the family.
Our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We were saddened to hear of Andres passing. Ken has great memories of working and hunting with him. Many stories were told around the campfire. Our sincere sympathies to all the family.
Ken and Sharon Cyr
Condolences to the Lafreniere Family, and the Extended Family of Janice..
May our good lord and his angels ,Bring Andre Home in Heaven🙏
And Bless all those he left behind here on Earth..Rest In Peace!!
Ron&Corinne Pachkowsky🙏
My deepest sympathies to the family. Andre was my cousin, and always treated us with kindness. He was particularly kind to our inability to speak French! He will certainly be missed from far and wide.
I was saddened to here of Andy’s passing and have fond memories of working with him in the electrical shop. You could always count on Andy to make you laugh, he had a great sense of humour and always had a story to tell. You will be missed my friend. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Richard and Colleen Chevrefils.
Andre was one of a kind and will be missed. While I haven’t seen them for some time, the last CAO trip that Janice and I went on together will always remain in my memory. It was in the beginning of winter and I left my car at their house and Janice and I travelled together. While I was gone, Andre noticed the block heater plug on my car was barely hanging on so what did he do?! Put a brand new one on for me and wouldn’t take anything for it. He just gave that grin of his – I will never forget his kindness. Rest In Peace Andre – and my deepest condolences to Janice and the whole family.
André will always come to mind with that beautiful smile of his.
Many stories and laughs were shared from the stories he knew how to tell so well. Hugs to all.
We only knew Andre a few years but he was always welcoming and generous. He had a down to earth, no nonsense attitude and loved to talk. What a wonderful family man and friend and it seems unfair he didn’t have more time. We send our condolences to Janice and all of the family.