Obituary of James W. LaPointe

LAPOINTE, James W. A resident of Chatham, James LaPointe, friend and cherished husband to Ann (Milne) LaPointe for 53 years, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 6, 2010 in his 76th year. He was the devoted mentor to 4 children: Michelle LaPointe and her husband Pat O'Cain and their son Alden O'Cain; David and his partner Christine and his sons Zachary and Joshua; Kristen LaPointe and her husband Gregory Pleau; and Paul and his wife Sharon LaPointe. James was a caring brother to his sisters; Bonnie Gallerno, Pauline Buckingham, Charlotte McNiff, Wilma Wellman, Freda and Jon MacDonald, and his brother Dennis LaPointe. He was also a friend to Ann's brother and sister in-law Keith and Sharon Milne and their children Brent, Scott and Paula. James was active in many organizations. He was a Charter member of the Kiwanis Golden K, the Chatham-Kent Committee of Orchestra London, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He had recently joined the Investment Club at the Active Living Centre. Earlier in his life he played French Horn in the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and was a long-time member of the Chatham Concert Band. He volunteered at the Prism Centre, and was a Junior Choir director and Member of the Session of Sprucedale United Church. He was involved for many years with the Kiwanis Music Festival. He graduated from the University of Windsor B.A.(Hons) and the University of Toronto M. Ed. He retired from Wallaceburg District Secondary School in 1995. He held Certificates in Special Education, Guidance, Music, and Computers. James was a very talented and artful craftsman - spending much time in his garage with the classical music playing while creating woodworking projects usually for his children. Please join the family as they receive friends on Tuesday, February 9 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham. Funeral services for James will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at the Funeral Home, with Pat Milliken of Sprucedale United Church officiating. Cremation will follow. February is Heart and Stroke month; if you so desire, please make a contribution in his name. Memorial donations to "Sleeping Children Around the World" - a Kiwanis Golden K charity would also be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair Street Chatham, Ontario 519-351-2040