Parcourez la nécrologie de Bernie Lafrance April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old résidant dans la province Colombie britanique pour le détail des funérailles.
Bernie Lafrance Obituary
April 1, 1941-Dec 16, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce after a brief lung related illness, Bernie Lafrance, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Dec 16, 2023. He was a good man who will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his first wife of 52 years, Sharron. Bernie is survived by his children, Rob (Michelle), Nicole (Darren), his wife Aase (Osa), and his grand children, Kristopher, Kyle, Brenden and Bethany.
Bernie was born on April 1st, 1941 to parents Omer and Gertrude Lafrance where they lived in St. Paul, Alberta, until he moved away to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961. In 1964, he met and married Sharron Kealey of Ottawa, on July 18, 1964, going on to have 2 children, Rob and Nicole, they went on to be blessed with grandchildren, Kristopher, Kyle, Brenden and Bethany. They had 52 beautiful years together before Sharron passed away on March 18, 2017. In 2018, Bernie found love again with Aase (Osa) Gerken Jensen and they married on April 7, 2018. Aase (Osa) brought to the marriage her daughter Joanne(Dave), and grandchildren, Brandon, Annika and Chloe. Bernie came from a large farming family and is survived by siblings, Carmel (Boyd), Denis (Mary), Richard (Heather), Roger, Marilynne (Gerard), Marc (Shelley) and is reunited with sisters, Bibianne and Lucille.
Bernie, with the rank of Warrant Officer, was a former Traffic Technician with the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served for 27 years before retiring in Nanaimo in 1987. Once retired, Bernie made a career out of volunteering and helping others. He volunteered with the PVN Island Health (Nanaimo Regional General Hospital) for many years where he helped implement many changes. Bernie was the director of the BC Lungs Association for many years. In 2018, Bernie was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Attorney General of Canada for his many years of volunteer work. Bernie loved his life in Nanaimo, living in the same house for 38 years. He was a very active part of the community, always doing what he could to help others.
Bernie was an avid curler for most of his life. He spent a lot of time at the Nanaimo Curling Club even becoming well known for the “Eight Ender” he accomplished with his team in 2005, a rare coup in curling circles! Bernie was also an avid golfer and while he always sought to improve his game, he usually ended up playing with friends for fun most of the time.
When people who knew him spoke with us, the phrase heard the most was “Bernie was a gentleman”. Bernie had a presence that will be missed. Bernie was a man of great faith and dealt with the trials in life with that faith in hand. He even went on missions’ trips to The Ukraine and The Philippines as he so had a heart to help others. In the end when Bernie passed, it was clear he was with his maker and is now reunited with his loved ones in heaven.
The family would like to acknowledge the Palliative Ward at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. They were amazing and so appreciated.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 27, 2024 at 1pm at the Nazarene Church of Nanaimo (2150 Departure Bay Rd. Nanaimo, BC)
In lieu of flower, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.
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April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bernie Lafrance April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old..
Telford, Toneff and Boyd Burial and Cremation Centres
Décès pour la Ville: Nanaimo, Province: Colombie britanique
avis deces Bernie Lafrance April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old
necrologie Bernie Lafrance April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Bernie Lafrance April 1 1941 December 16 2023 82 Years Old et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.