ROGER JOSEPH LA PLUME, SR.

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ROGER JOSEPH LA PLUME, SR. March 21, 1939 - September 6, 2018 There are no words to say how much we miss our father, Mr. Roger La Plume. Dad will be lovingly missed by his three children, Roger (Cindy), Randy (Diane) and Angie (Ray); five grandchildren, Felicia, James, Mia, Miranda and Amelia. Dad was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Anita (nee Krueger). Roger La Plume, Sr. was born to parents, Lena La Plume (nee Kryminski) and Rene La Plume, at St. Boniface Hospital, March 21, 1939. Our dad grew up in the St. Boniface area on Newton Street with his brother Raymond and sister Denise with Dad being the middle child. Dad attended Provencher School. At an early age, Dad was in a bad accident causing him to miss a lot of school and they were not sure if he would ever walk again. As time went on he did heal and recover from this accident. At the age of 15 he left school to find employment to support his brother and sister and keep the family together. His first job was as a delivery driver for telegraph service on his bicycle. At the age of 18 he got a job at CNR as a telegraph lineman which led to Dad being away from home a lot. However, when he did return with his pay cheque, which at that time was a lot of money, he gave all his money to support his family and to keep the house together. He was the man that laid the foundation for the family. If our dad was not there, there wouldn't be that foundation today. At the age of 21, Dad got a bright idea to build a family cottage at West Hawk Lake. Together with his mother, brother, Mr. Paul Kryminski and Dad, they started to clean the bush and build the cottage, all by hand as there was no power available. This cottage is still in our family and always will be The La Plume family cottage for now and forever. At the age of 25 he married our mother Anita La Plume (nee Krueger), in May, 1964. Together they raised three children, Roger, Randy and Angie. Dad did a number of things in his life: a cook, a taxi driver, an electrician and a truck driver. His longest place of employment was 15 years as a driver for Western Messenger, until one day they decided they did not like the colour of his new truck. This was the day that changed Dad's life; nobody would tell our dad what do. In 1974, after just having purchased a new home, a new truck, having three kids and our Mom who did not work outside the family home, he quit his job. Dad had an idea to explore, the world of being his own boss. He went to an auction in Winnipeg with money in hand and purchased a one ton truck for $650.00, full of life and determination to make a living for his family. As time went on he started a number of companies such as R&K Supply, Prompt Cartage & Messanger and Right Way Services. He ran these companies well and turned a profit. Together with the strong efforts from all his family he worked hard to build a better life. As time went on things got easier. We couldn't have asked for any better life. The cottage got larger, family became stronger, and life was good. Mom and Dad were married for 51 years. Together, they loved long road trips to the Gulf of Mexico, totalling 15 years of winter vacations, casino, Las Vegas, NV, Mesa, AZ, Disney World and many shopping trips to Fargo. Dad loved going to the big tractor show and BIG IRON trade show which was his favourite. He would come back and tell everybody what was there and what they were missing. They both loved spending time at the family cottage. Dad took great pride and joy in seeing all of the efforts and numerous hours spent building the family cottage and we are all proud of what we have done. Yes, hard work does pay off. The hardest year for our family was the day our mom passed away, March 1, 2015. Dad had lost his companion of 51 years to cancer. The next three years were hard, Dad tried to put on a good face and keep up the family home right up to the day he passed on. Dad deeply missed the love of his life and now they are together again. Our parents taught us not to just think about what you are going to do. They encouraged us to put our dreams into motion and "Just do it", life is too short. REST IN PEACE MOM AND DAD TOGETHER FOREVER A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. with interment and reception to follow Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2018