Louis W. LaFrance

AKWESASNE – Mr. Louis W. “Boo” LaFrance, age 82, a resident of Iakhihsohtha Home for the Elderly, passed away on Friday morning, December 9, 2011.

Louis was born February 28, 1929 in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of the late Louis A. and Christine White LaFrance. He first attended schools in Ogdensburg before moving to the Hogansburg schools. He joined the US Army in 1951 serving with the combat engineers during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

Louis first worked in Hamilton, Ontario at Canadian Canners as a young boy. He later became an ironworker with Local 711 in Montreal, Quebec. Louis lived in the Syracuse area for many years before returning to Akwesasne in 1997. He was a former member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479 and a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church and former communicant of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Syracuse. He took great enjoyment in painting, having been an artist for many years. He also enjoyed collecting coins and stamps for many years. Louis loved the outdoors, watching and feeding the birds. He had a great fondness for gardening, he continued to garden while at IA KHIH SOH THA until he had to give it up a few years ago.

Louis is survived by his four sisters, Betty Sunday of Snye; Joellene and Roy Adams of Snye; Lynne and Ernie Thompson of Hogansburg; Shelly and Judgie Rourke of Snye; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Angus LaFrance, Wade L. LaFrance, and Alex Homer LaFrance; a sister, Helen LaFrance in infancy; and a brother-in-law, Joseph “Jiggy” Sunday.

Friends called at the Akwesasne Homemakers beginning Monday, December 12, 2011 until a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Following cremation, burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, St. Regis, Quebec.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, where condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.