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June 23, 2005 Volume 46 Tecumseh, Ontario Edition No. 17 |
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Tribute to a community leader with heart… “More than a brother, more than a friend”
by Dan Laforet |
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 “It is with a dry throat and a pounding heart…” These are the words that Tecumseh’s Bert Lacasse wrote to begin a memorial obituary about his closest friend, Gene Laforet (my dad), back in 1971. Today, as I sit to write, I feel the pain that Bert felt so many years ago.On May 28, 2005, a bright sunny day, Paul Laforet, brother, confidant and mentor, was snatched away by an unforeseen heart attack. The memories of Paul run in my mind like an old time movie. I visualize Paul getting ready to go cruising with Freddy, Soc and the Boys, singing, “See the Pyramids along the Nile”, or Bobby Darin’s “Some where beyond the sea.” Growing up in Tecumseh during the 50’s and 60’s was a special time. Paul, being the second oldest of six, always seemed to be happy and have lots of friends. There was always a ball game going on in our back yard in the summer or hockey on our big rink in the winter. As I got older I noticed how Paul’s friends respected him. They would ask his opinion on matters, and trusted his judgment. In time, I found myself doing the same. In his teens, Paul was known for his athletic abilities. In 1964, at Ste. Anne’s, he won S.W.O.S.A.A. as a member of the basketball team and won gold in the 4x100 Kennedy relays as a runner. Paul excelled in baseball. His speed and strength made him a threat at the plate. As one of the area’s best catchers, he was feared by runners as his pin point throws to second would cut them down. Paul was on several championship teams in Juvenile and Junior, but winning the Essex County Championship in 1973 after years of drought was one of Paul’s proudest achievements. There were a couple more pennants before he made the move to the “front office”. Paul would wind up with over 40 years of dedicated service to the Tecumseh Baseball Club. Through sports came many new friends. Paul always made a point of introducing me. For years I was known as “Paul’s brother”. Paul’s friends soon became my friends as well. In 1974, Paul married his wife, Nancy. Together in love, they would have son Steve and daughter Danielle. Paul, a self-proclaimed “hockey nut” was so proud of Steve when he made the Kingston Frontenacs Jr. A team. Steve went on to play in the Australian Pro League. Although Paul never got to see Steve play, he did get to see Steve and his wife Jacqui (an Aussie) get married on a recent trip to Australia. Paul was just beaming when Danielle graduated from Teachers College and got her first teaching job. Danielle’s engagement to fiancé Craig Mooney was another proud moment. Paul later said to me that he felt he could relax now, his children were established, happy and on their way. Paul’s passion was teaching. He loved children and admired their innocence. What most people don’t know about this fine man is that he had a learning disability. Nothing came easy for Paul. After a couple of tries, Paul finally got his grade 12. It was his mentor, John Staley, who suggested that he had all the qualities of a teacher. He took John’s advice. I remember Paul coming home from teaching, wolfing down supper and heading to the University of Windsor. It took several years and summer courses, but he finally got his B.A. Later Paul attained his M.A. in the same fashion. He finished his career as a Principal, but Paul always considered himself a teacher first. He believed special needs kids were just that, special. He would go out of his way to make sure the student got the best the (catholic) school board had to offer. After 32 years, Paul retired from his beloved profession, mainly because paperwork and meetings didn’t allow him to be with the children. Retirement meant more time to travel, and more time to fish at Catchacoma. This bit of heaven, 35 miles north east of Peterborough gave Paul great times with his wife and children. He would organize yearly trips for us – the in-laws and out-laws. It was there that my children and many other nieces and nephews bonded with their parents and most specially their Uncle Paul. We all have great memories of him at Catchacoma. Paul enjoyed every minute of his six years of retirement. On another beautiful sunny day, at Ste Anne’s Church, several hundred came to “lay a chunk of themselves” to honour their friend, colleague and mentor. Paul has completed God’s work here on earth and He has welcomed him home. Paul, we will cherish our memories of you forever. 
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