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Wilbert Laronde
In Memory of
Wilbert William Edward "Bill"
Laronde
1934 - 2019
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Obituary for Wilbert William Edward "Bill" Laronde

Wilbert William Edward "Bill"  Laronde
Wilbert William Edward "Bill", age 85 years, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Bill was born March 26, 1934 to George and Joyce Laronde in Foresters Falls, Ontario. He grew up with a love of playing hockey and spent many years as a goaltender. Bill developed a strong work ethic early in life and began working in the lumber camps at the young age of 14 years. From there he moved forward with his passion for military, and after receiving his mothers blessing, joined the Royal Canadian Regiment in June 1951 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Following basic and advanced training, Bill shipped out to Harymuir, Japan for advanced battle training with Second Battalion RCR for 4 weeks. He was then deployed to Korea and spent 23 months with the infantry until returning to Trenton, Ontario CFB in May of 1953 following the cease-fire. Bill was released in June of 1953, but then re-joined 2 months later, joining the first RCR Airborne CJATC in Rivers, Manitoba. He was sent to Gagetown, New Brunswick for advanced training and returned to London, Ontario in 1955 where he then married his first wife Elsie.

Bill was transferred back to Rivers, Manitoba First Airborne Platoon RCASC in January of 1957 and was involved in Air Supply School as an instructor. He was doing and teaching regular parachute jumping until August of 1957 when he was involved in a serious parachute accident resulting in a 7 month hospital stay at the Deer Lodge Veteran Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba where recovered from multiple serious injuries. Unable to jump again, he returned back to the Air Supply School in Rivers, Manitoba and became involved in Clerk Administration Training. He completed the 3 levels of training required and was then deployed to Nanaimo, British Columbia (the HOLE) assigned to General Staff Administration Head Quarters in 1959.

In 1960, Bill was sent to Leopoldville, Africa for 9 months with the Signal Core Unit in dealing with the African Revolt and then returned to base in Vancouver. Bill was stationed in Germany in 1962 for an 8-month period and in 1964 he returned to Rivers, Manitoba Building Headquarters as a Staff Sargent RCASC. During the summer of 1966 Bill was honourably discharged from the General Forces, however his love of the Military saw him enlist with the 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (The Reserves), based out of Brandon, Manitoba. After 13 years in the reserves he retired with rank of Warrant Officer (Paymaster).

Once out of the military, Bill was employed by the City of Brandon as a building and plumbing inspector. It was while working at the city that Bill met his second wife, Alice and they were married in 1984.

For many years Bill was a volunteer for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and past Brandon Manitoba Legion Member, he was also an avid 5-pin bowler with Elsie and enjoyed going to Sportsman's Park on weekends for many years. Bill loved to hunt and fish and his children fondly remember his generosity. He was a great dancer and attended many dances and socials with Alice. He loved taking trips to the casino and never missed the opportunity to ask any of his visiting children when they were taking him next! He was a long time supporter and fan of the Brandon Wheat Kings and shared his love of the team with his youngest granddaughter.

Bill was predeceased by his parents George and Joyce Laronde, his infant daughter, Patricia Ann in 1956, his first wife Elsie (nee Hrycyk) in 1983 and his second wife Alice (nee Brown) in 2016. He is survived by his children Richard (Brenda) Laronde of Dauphin, MB, Paddy (Peter) Kartes of Leask, SK, Nancy (Garth) Lindgren of Shellbrook, SK, and stepdaughter Sharon Ward of Brandon, MB. Bill is also survived by his sisters Marion (Howard) Miehm of Petawawa, ON, Beryl McKee of Napanee, ON and Sheila (Bud) Taylor of Kamloops, BC. Bill will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Jason, Janelle, Sherry-Lynn, Shawn, Shane, Jeffrey, Curtis and Katey as well as 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Rideau Park for their excellent care during Bill's time there. Thanks also to the nurses and staff on A2 and Palliative Care.
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