Joe Lafond, a great gentleman with a huge smile passed away on August 27, 2008 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, shortly after his 92nd birthday.

Joseph Thomas Lafond was born in Morinville, Alberta on August 24th, 1916.  His parents were Floribert and Louisa Lafond and Joe was the eldest of seven children. 

Joe’s lifelong career in the meat business started at the young age of 12, working at his father’s butcher shop in Morinville.   In the 1930's he briefly left to work in the meat business in Ontario and Quebec before settling in Edmonton.  While working as a butcher in Edmonton he befriended a co-worker by the name of Tom Smith.  Tom’s sister-in-law, Irene Forgie, soon became the most important person in Joe’s life. 

Joe and Irene married on October 24th, 1942 in Edmonton.  Shortly after their marriage Joe met Mr. Glover Lawrence.  Irene agreed they would move to Dawson Creek in 1943 to join forces in Lawrence Meats.  At the time, Joe told Irene the move to Dawson would only be for two years. During the next 65 years of living in Dawson, Irene periodically reminded Joe of this statement.  Joe and Mr. Lawrence were partners in Lawrence Meats.  Joe later acquired the controlling interest in the company.

Joe’s incredible work ethic was second to none.  Because of this, Lawrence Meats thrived.  Joe was extremely proud of the company he built, and the quality of the product.  Even when he was retired, Joe continued to go to work everyday!   He was actually doing quality control at the Butcher Block last Monday; he was questioning the thickness of the steaks!

Joe had many amazing facets to his life.  Some things you may not know about him include:

• He was self-taught in refrigeration, plumbing, construction, mechanics, and business;
• Joe attained his pilot’s licence in San Jose, California in his 40’s;
• He still held a class 3 with driver’s licence with an air ticket;
• Joe volunteered a great deal of time to the Dawson Creek arena;
• He loved to travel, and has seen much of the world;
• Joe was one of the original Snowbirds spending winters in San Francisco, Hawaii and Arizona;
• He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Elks Club
• Joe made sets of golf clubs for his family and taught many how to use them;
• He water-skied at age 70;
• Joe swam across Swan Lake at age 70;
• He ran a riverboat in his 80’s; and,
• Joe played a round of golf, his favourite pastime on his 90th birthday.

Joe set the bar high for how a person should go through life.  Throughout his life he worked hard, played hard, and most importantly he loved those around him unconditionally. 

Joe leaves behind sons Jerry and Maurice, daughter Paula, their spouses, as well as 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was held on September 1, 2008 at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Father Michael Anyasoro.  Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery. 

Dawson Creek: (250) 782-2577    Fort St. John: (250) 785-2872
E-mail: services@bergeronfunerals.com    Fax: (250) 782-1264
Toll-Free: 1-800-577-4877
10200-17th St. Dawson Creek, British Columbia