George Richard Laforme passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC on May 20, 2016. Born in Revelstoke, BC on January 9, 1942. George spent 23 years serving in the Canadian Armed Forces flying Sea King helicopters. The pinnacle of his career in the Navy was when he served as the Commanding Officer of 443 Squadron. In 1983, George and his family moved to Montreal when he began a new career with Bombardier Aerospace. In 1996, George and his family moved to Hong Kong when he became the Vice-President of Bombardier Business Aircraft Division, Asia-Pacific. George retired in 2002 and he and Dianne settled in Victoria, BC. In 2015, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home surrounded by family and friends.
George will be remembered as a great golfer, a gardener, a pilot, a soccer coach and a man who loved life and lived everyday to the fullest. His positive outlook was like sunshine.
George will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Dianne; his two sons, Kent and Gregor; Kent’s wife, Tamara Clarke; their children, Aya and Koen (Grandpa was the best!); Gregor’s wife, Jaime Siu; brother in-law, Cliff Higano; sister, Diane Harzan; as well as the family matriarch, Margaret Laforme, and all our relatives and friends who have shared so many great memories over the years. George, we love you! Thanks for the memories. You will forever be in our hearts.
The Laforme family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Eric Shafonsky, Dr. Daniel Ovakim, their teams, as well as super nurses Shawn Stalker and Sara Sinclair.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of following charities:
BCSS- Victoria branch https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/3853
African Book Box https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/3160
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
28 Responses
Dear Mrs. Laforme, Gregor, Kent & Family,
I just learned today of Mr. Laforme’s passing and I am deeply saddened by the news. I have fond memories of Mr. Laforme, as a soccer coach I can recall guiding us at practices and it is where I first met Gregor. Over the years, he was always very kind and generous and showed compassion to others.
Please accept my sincere sympathies.
George Bazos
Dear Dianne,
I just read the Revelstoke review and found out about the passing of George! My thoughts go out to you Dianne. George was a very fine man and accomplished a great deal in his life. You have always been a special person to me. Please take this loss one day at a time as you know time is the greatest healer!
My very best to you and your family
Wayne Cooper
Dear Dianne and Family,
So sorry for your loss. George always had a smile on his face and was a great story teller. His warmth and spirit always shone through. He will most definitely be missed.
Sincerest condolences,
Jamie Critoph
“There is love that will live forever, and there are memories that will shine through the sorrow.”
My thoughts are with you and your family, Dianne. I remember George clearly all those years ago at UBC, with his welcoming smile and love of laughter, never at someone but at the joy of the moment. He lived his life fully, abiding by his deep values of goodness and love. And always with you, his beloved Dianne, at his side.
Dear Dianne: Please accept our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. George will be missed by all of us.
Glen and Lorraine Urquhart
I was so sorry to hear of George’s passing. I assisted him with gardening in 2015, helping prepare for his and Dianne’s 50th wedding anniversary. He was always a pleasure to be around and a perfect gentleman. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Diane and family, we send our deepest condolences on the loss of George. It was a pleasure to have known him and to reflect on the memorable and fun times we enjoyed.
Jack & Donna McGee
Dianne, Kent and family,
George was a special person–his love of life, humour, and warmth always brightened the room. We are so sorry for your loss.
Tom, Katherine, Sienna and Claire