Lawrence LaFrance
1939-2020
Lawrence Frederick LaFrance, a resident of Victoria Glen Manor nursing
home in Perth-Andover, NB, passed away peacefully at the Manor on
Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Lawrence was born in Tilley, NB, on September 28, 1939, grew up there
and lived there most of his life. He was the son of the late Harold
Frederick LaFrance and the late Marjorie Wanda Schriver LaFrance, he
was also predeceased by 1 brother David LaFrance. He is survived by
two sons, Terrance Lawrence LaFrance (Brenda) of Tilley, NB, and John
Murray LaFrance (Marsha) of Whitecourt, AB.
Lawrence’s grandchildren: John Murray Lawrence LaFrance Jr., Jennifer
Lee LaFrance (Brent Mills) and Brittany Leah Pottie (Kyle), all of
whom live in Whitecourt, AB, Michael Bourgoin of Tilley, NB. Lawrence
had four great grandchildren – Phoenix, Isabella, Maddox and
Madelyn.
He had two siblings, Joan Carol Laverdiere (Denis) of Welland,
Ontario, and Robert Alton LaFrance (Darlene Morton) of Kincardine, NB,
three nieces – Pam, Kate and Marjorie and one nephew, Kinley.
He is also survived by Elaine Castonguay (Gerald) of Grand Falls and
their son, Mark Castonguay of Fredericton. They were an important part
of Lawrence’s life.
Lawrence graduated from Southern Victoria High School in 1957 and
later was a licensed Volkswagen mechanic with A. G. Campbell in
Perth-Andover in the 1960s. Lawrence had taken several courses in
college in Fredericton on Volkswagen auto repair. Both before and
after that, he worked in the woods for decades, much of the time for
Fraser Companies. During this time he was lead guitar player for
George Maunder’s Band and later for John Maunder’s band.
After he retired from active work in 2002, Lawrence spent much time
playing music with the Wednesday Evening Fiddlers headed by his friend
Garold Hanscom of California Settlement. Lawrence usually chorded on
the piano with the group but also occasionally played acoustic guitar
and bass guitar. Among the other instruments he played during his
lifetime were: harmonica, Hawaiian guitar, dobro, mandolin and banjo.
He was highly respected for his musical ability and is best known as a
great fiddler and composer of beautiful fiddle tunes. Lawrence
composed the music and Carol Rossignol wrote the words to the songs on
her album. He was inducted into the NB Country Music Hall of Fame in
October of 2010. He also received the Maritime Fiddlers Association
Certificate of Recognition and the NB Music Certificate of Merit.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 3
pm from the Lerwick Cemetery. Father Curtis Sappier officiating. A
time of fellowship will follow the graveside service.
For those who wish, memorial donations to the NB Heart and Stroke
Foundation, The Canadian Diabetes Association or Victoria Glen Manor
would be appreciated by the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home,
Perth-Andover, NB.
19392020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lawrence LaFrance 19392020..
Décès pour la Ville: Perth-Andover, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick