LaChapelle, Pierre
Pierre LaChapelle died suddenly at the age of 77, on the first day of spring, March 20th, 2021, clearing brush and cutting logs on his rural property in Lanark County. He was wearing his work gloves and muck boots and had a smile on his face. We are shocked and saddened by his passing, but take some comfort that his family was by his side, and that he did not linger or suffer. Instead, he went out the way he wanted to, cherished, vital, active, sharp, and participating fully.
Pierre leaves behind his wife Laurette (Legault), of 46 years and his daughter Adrienne (John) Morin. He was the older brother of Dianne, Mike and Suzanne and uncle to Matthew and Laura. Pierre was the favourite adventurer buddy of his grandson Wilfred, and his granddaughter Eleanor’s cherished reading companion.
Pierre was born Gerard Ambrose Pierre LaChapelle to Robert LaChapelle Jr. and Alma Dulac in Toronto, Ontario, in 1943. The eldest of four children he became the family breadwinner at age 12 when his father died. Pierre credited the Canadian Air Cadet movement with keeping him grounded during his teenage years. He worked full time during the summers to help support his mother and family. Pierre’s interest in the military was piqued and he saw the possibility of a career. He enlisted first in the reserves and then in the Canadian Forces. He served with both the Royal 22nd Regiment (1964-1975) and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1975-1998), in the arctic, on peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Guatemala, at DND Headquarters in Ottawa and as NATO liaison officer in Italy. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Canadian Forces in 1998 and started his own defence consulting firm. He continued to work on a variety of challenging projects up until his death.
A celebration of life will be held for Pierre when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted to allow a large gathering. A special thanks to the excellent paramedics of Lanark County Paramedic Service and the emergency room staff at the Perth Memorial Hospital, including nurse Britney and Doctor Drummond. Donations to the Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa and the Lanark County Interval House and Community Support are gratefully accepted.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Pierre LaChapelle Saturday March 20th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
I remember Pierre fondly from our days in 2PPCLI. A good man gone too soon. My sincerest condolences Laurette and family.
Mrs Laurette and Adrienne LaChappelle –
I write to express to you both and the wider family the sincere condolences of the Patricia’s on the passing of LCol (Ret’d) Pierre LaChapelle. As you wrote in his obituary, he was doing something that he was committed to when he was taken. I knew him only briefly, when he was at DLR in Ottawa, although we were regimental brothers for 23 years. I also knew him in the Ottawa Branch of the Association – where he was often seen. He was a well respected and conscientious colleague and a good friend to many – an excellent Patricia officer. His service included some not-so-usual postings, and I am sure that you are proud of that service to Canada and to peace.
The Regiment remembers Pierre’s service. His name will be read in this year’s list of the lost when we read that out on November 11th, 2021 in the Sacred Space in Beechwood, the National Military Cemetery, Ottawa. You would be most welcome to come to that (given Covid relaxations). His name will also be listed in the 2021 edition of the Patrician’s Last Post section.
Thank you for obviously supporting Pierre through most of his career and for a long and successful marriage and a happy family life. If either of you would like to stay in contact with the Regiment, there is a gratis memorial membership available to you, just contact the Membership Chairman at hkenny@shaw.ca.
Thank you, regimentally –
Brigadier-General Vince Kennedy (Retired)
Colonel of the Regiment
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
Dear Laurette, Adrienne and family,
Our sincere condolences for your loss. May it help you to know that we share in your grief. We remember fondly our time together over the years in the military.
Marvin and Terry Fenrich
Dear Laurette, today I was reading your last letter to me .. sent in 1985, as I was sorting photos and papers that have needed my attention for a long time. I resolved that I would make contact again and found that Pierre has passed away. My very deepest sympathy to you and Adrienne and your now extended family. We have very fond memories of the year we spent in England together and the friends we made but have been too busy to stay in touch with. I hope that we might be able to resolve that issue by reigniting contact now. I also came across a beautiful photograph of Adrienne and the Beselt boys so I have been trying to locate Ken and Debbie as well. I would love to hear from you . My love and prayers to you in your time of sadness Jan Australia Camberley 1983