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
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George Bazos
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Wayne Cooper 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
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Jamie Critoph 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
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Kirsten Zola “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.
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Glen Urquhart 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
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Peter Becker 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.
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Jack & Donna McGee 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
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Katherine and Tom McNamara 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
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Kay Collacutt, SAMF Secretary Please be advised a donation was made to the Shearwater Aviation Museum Foundation from Barry and Betty Montgomery and their children, Evelyn and Murray in memory of George Laforme. A letter noting this information is in the mail to be forwarded to the family.
Please accept the condolences of the SAM Foundation – Mr. Laforme was a kind, gentle person.
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David RE Cooper I was truly sorry to learn of George’s passing. We were schoolboys together at St Georges, Vancouver, graduating in 1960, where George not only established himself as a keen rugby player but also as natural leader and a gentleman, qualities that marked both his naval and civilian careers. Our different naval careers never actually crossed, so it was only latterly that our associations were reconnected. My condolences to all his family at this time.
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Kirk Lowe & Family Kenter and Gregor, sorry to hear about your dad. It’s been many years since we’ve spoken but I fondly remember your friendship. Your home was always a friendly and kind place. Your parents were so welcoming and generous. I still remember your dad coaching us in soccer and your mom cooking Japanese cuisine for our call. Thinking of all you.
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Eva Van Krugel Dearest Laforme family,
Love and condolences to each of you. I know how utterly special George has been in your lives and what a positive light he shined when in person and now in spirit. What a blessed family, and that much more because of your George.I am a friend of Kent and Tamara. George and Diane always made me feel welcome, open arms, as though we knew each other our whole lives. I am so grateful to know this family and thank you precious Diane and dear George now up in the sky for bringing these friendships into my life. Without you there would be no Kent or Gregor, or the good women they chose.
I send my love and healing wishes. I look forward to giving you hugs and sharing more precious time together with Jack, once back in Victoria for good in a matter of days.
Loving you and your friend forever,
Eva
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Andrew Farrant and Fatima Morais We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
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Selma Simonzi I am so sorry that Dickie passed away. I remember the good times growing up with him in Revelstoke. Later he came to Kamloops often for golf tournaments and I enjoyed seeing him there. The last time I saw him was at Greta’s one summer about five years ago. Dianne – I am so sorry. You married a terrific guy.
Selma Simonzi
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Terry & Carole Dawes & Randy & Brian & families Dear Dianne , Kent, Gregor, and family,
We were so saddened to hear of George’s passing. We’ll always remember our wonderful neighbors in Silversides, Waverley, N.S. during our brief time there. Our boys still talk of the side hill gouger hunts they went on with George. Our sincerest condolences go out to you and your families and may your memories of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Rick Calderwood Dear Diane and Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Colleen and I are grateful for the chance we had to spend time with George shortly before his passing in your lovely home. George was always welcoming, friendly and took an interest in everyone who was around him.
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Sheila Moore Diane, Kent, Gregor and family,
I was saddened to receive the news of George’s passing.
Please accept our sincere sympathy.Sheila and Barry Moore
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Maria Destounis Dear Mrs. Laforme, Kent, Gregor and Family: I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones. Take comfort in knowing George will always be with you watching over you. Maria Destounis xoxo
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John McDermott Dianne and Family: It is always sad to learn of the passing of a Naval Aviator and friend. In George’s case the loss is deeper for he was the example of what a “squadron mate” should be, someone who had mastered his profession, loved life, and shared his enthusiasm and good humour with everyone he met. He will be remembered and he will be missed. Please accept my condolences.
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Joan and Joe Paquette Dear Dianne and family,
Through the shock and sadness of hearing of George’s death, came the beautiful memories of our time together at Shearwater. We are so grateful for those memories and relive them often. You are all in our thoughts and in our prayers.
We are so very sorry for the loss of your sweet husband, dad and granddad.
Joan and Joe Paquette
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Pierre Allard Dianne and family
Very fond memories of George in Portage la Prairie. he was a big brother to all of us. My most sincere sympathies to you and all your loved ones.
Pierre & Jacqueline Allard
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Frank Willis Our sincere condolences to Dianne and everyone else in George’s family. George was a super colleague and a fine friend. He will be greatly missed.
Frank and Mona Willis
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Les East Dianne – Although our paths went their own ways over the years, George has always been a friend and good mate. We sailed the goodship ALGONQUIN together to Brazil and back in ’76, golfed in Puerto Rico and caught barracuda off Rosy Roads after “paint ship” was done. May he rest in peace.
We will remember him.
Les and Betty East
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Dave Florence Dear Diane Please accept my sincere condolences as you adjust to George’s passing. My years at UBC in the 60’s were greatly enriched by the privilege of knowing you both, and I know Linda would agree. I’m so thankful George took the time to connect and make such thoughtful comments by email and phone following my loss mid April. I wish strength to you and all of your family and friends in the days and months ahead. I’ll miss George and will remember him always.
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Michael Bannon Dear Dianne – I was saddened to hear of George’s death. I will always remember the kindnesses he showed me when passing through Hong Kong. My thoughts are with you and your family.
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John and Cheri Orr Dianne and Family
George was one of the leaders of the Canadian Sea King community in the early days. He was skilled in all aspects of his profession and he set a high standard for all of us ‘sprogs.’
Our paths crossed several times and I had the privilege to serve as his Executive Officer in HS 443. Unfailingly positive, he approached the inevitable challenges of military aviation with a chuckle before getting down to the inevitably difficult task at hand.
Please accept out sincere condolences.
John and Cheri Orr
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PAUL PEACEY Dianne & Family,
Both shocked and saddened to hear of Georges passing. From the HMCS Fraser in 1967 over the years we touched base from time to time. I would like to think that Herb greeted him with a cool one as he entered the Starboard Delta As you remember the love As you mourn the loss May you also celebrate the life
Paul Peacey Saanichton
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