Joseph Alphonse Langlais, 78

Alphonse Langlais, age 78 years, passed away peacefully November 21, 2009 at the Rainy River Hospital with his family by his side.
Alphonse was born October 28, 1931 in La Broquerie, Manitoba to Francois and Josephine Langlais. He married Annette Sanche in 1953. They settled on the family farm in Pinewood and raised their family of 11 children.
Alphonse drove school bus for forty years and retired in 2001. He served as councillor and reeve of Dilke Twp for many years. He was a valued member of the Our Lady of the Way Catholic Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the Rainy River Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 as well as being an active member of the Northwestern Health Unit Board.
In 2002 he received the Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2008 the Senior of the Year award from the Township of Dawson for his outstanding contribution to the community after age 65.
Dad loved sports and was well known in the district as a baseball player, coach, and umpire. He loved his cards but most of all enjoyed spending time with his children.
Alphonse is survived by his loving wife Annette, ten children, Anne-Marie (Laurie), Paulette (Ted), Jeanette (Murray), Yvonne (Randy), Jacqueline (Al), Gabrielle (Mickey), Roger (Gail), Monique (Donnie), Michelle (Rick), Rene. Alphonse dearly loved his thirty seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Alphonse is also survived by his brother Albert (Joanne) Langlais, and sister Betty (Dennis) Wensley, many in laws, nieces and nephews.
Alphonse was predeceased by his daughter Lise (2003), parents Francois and Josephine, brothers Alex and Leo Langlais, sisters Evelyn Voodre, Lea Dubois, Rose Gouliquer, Francis Goodman, Ann Marie Asselin and Madeline Desaulniers.
Prayers were offered on Monday November 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. from Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church, Pinewood where funeral mass was held on Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. Father Alan Albao Celebrant. Interment followed in the Pinewood Catholic Cemetery.
Honourary Pall Bearers were Alphonse‘s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pall Bearers were Roger Langlais, Rene Langlais, Rick Tymkin and Laurie Armstrong.
If desired memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Association or the Rainy River Health Centre, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, Ontario.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com