WILLIAM "BILL" LAFRANCE SR

William "Bill" Lafrance Sr., 86, of St. Regis, Quebec, passed away peacefully on July 5th 2015 at Tsi Ion Kwa Nonh So:te where he had been a resident for the last 6 years.

He was born on October 6th, 1928, the son of Paul and Josephine (Arquette) Lafrance. He married Margaret Bush on November 10, 1956 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Father Michael Jacobs officiating. In his youth, Bill worked as a lumberjack in the Adirondacks, and then as an ironworker for Local 440 where he worked for many years in Utica, Boston, Oswego, Binghamton, and Hamilton. In his later years he held a job as custodian at the St. Regis Village School until his retirement in 1994. Bill was an active member of the community, he was a volunteer for the St. Regis Recreation Committee for many years, he sat on the Akwesasne Membership Board, and he was a team member of the Mighty Mohawks, the undisputed Tug of War Champions in the early 70's. Bill loved watching lacrosse games and cheering on all the Akwesasne teams, especially when his boys were playing. Bill was an avid gardener who took great pride in his crops and was famous for his salt pickles. Fishing was another passion of Bill's and he instilled that passion in his sons. Bill enjoyed listening to classic country music, watching the Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday nights, and sitting on his front porch with family and friends taking in the beautiful scenery and sunsets of the St. Lawrence River.

Bill is survived by his children Jerry (Johanne) Jackson, Harriet Lazore, Francis Lafrance, Sheila Lafrance, Billy (Hilary) Lafrance, Michael Lafrance, Carol Lafrance, Leona Lafrance and Derrick (Myra) Lafrance, his sisters Marion Lafrance and Rosemary (John) Eustis. He is also survived by many grandchildren, one great grandson, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Paul and Josephine Arquette Lafrance, his wife Margaret in 1996, his brother Alex in 1998, and his son Lionel in 2008. He rested at his son's residence, 111 James E. Lazore Memorial Road, Akwesasne, QC from Tuesday and a Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday July 8, 2015 in St. Regis Church followed by cremation. Funeral arrangements under the care and direction of Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes, 614 First St. East (613-933-2841). As expressions of sympathy, Memorial Donations to the

TSI ION KWA NONH SO:TE ACTIVITY FUND would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence may be left at http://www.lahaiesullivan.ca