Alfred Luc Labrecque

Alfred passed away naturally of old age on June 21s,t 2023. In his last days he was surrounded by his loving wife Carol Fredrickson of 14 years, and his five daughters, Pauline Marushak, Ilda Labrecque, Laurette McCaig, Therese Nickell and Helen Coverdale.

Married at 23, dad built his life with his first love Florence (Beaudry), purchasing Mr. Brown’s homestead near D’Arcy. Starting with very little he created a number of businesses he ran from the farm. Dad was always so curious and loved figuring out how things worked. He was an inventor, and could have chosen an engineering career, but he chose farming, so he taught himself by reading voraciously enabling him to build his own house, quonset and slaughterhouse.

He constructed a camper and a boat trailer as well as many small pieces of equipment. Community was important to him, so he proudly joined the Knights of Columbus, the D’Arcy School Board, and was involved with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the Rosetown Photo Club. Giving freely of his time he volunteered at the Stranraer Ski Hill, ski patrolling for more than 20 years, gave his service to the Boy Scouts and the St. John Bosco Wilderness camp and to many other community functions. Active throughout life, dad snow skied, water skied till he was 80, scuba dived, biked, enjoyed photography, welded and did creative woodwork.

Dad was very proud of his boat. He bought her with a load of grain and named her Seagull. His girls, son-in-laws and grandchildren learned the water sports from that boat. Like his sister Rose, he loved to travel the world. He was able to visit France, Australia, and Expo 67 with Florence, Alaska and numerous places in Western and Eastern Canada with his daughters, took a safari trip to Africa and travelled to Israel and cruised the Caribbean with his wife Carol. He purchased a motorhome to bring us camping faithfully each year, take us on a one-month adventure to Eastern Canada, north to Alaska, skiing in BC, and driving us to many local fairs, tournaments and museums. There was never ending farm work, but he made it a priority to bring us to numerous school and sporting events.

Working alongside grandpa Eugene, he learned to be a jack of all trades, teaching his daughters the many skills required to create and maintain their own homes. When asked what he did for a living he proudly replied “I’m a farmer from Darcy.” To this day you can catch sight of the five giant stones placed along Highway #7, as a monument to honor his 5 girls. Dad and Mom grain farmed, raised cattle, operated a slaughterhouse and had a grain bin building business.

Together they raised their five daughters, farmed the land and, after selling the farm, enjoyed retirement in Rosetown. Looking back now, knowing dad’s meager beginnings, we are amazed at the life that he gave us. We can all attest to the fact that he was our mentor and teacher, teaching us how to live life fully, honestly, and truthfully. Mom and dad brought us up in the faith, teaching us the importance of prayer and trusting in the Good Lord. It was a family practice to kneel at the kitchen table each night to say the rosary.

After losing his wife Florence of 50 years, Alfred married Carol Fredrickson. He loved to dance, so it was natural he met Carol at the dancehall. They married in 2009, enjoying their honeymoon in Israel before starting their lives in Saskatoon. As a couple, they danced weekly and attended numerous polkafests with many friends. Dad and Carol entertained frequently with the guests enjoying Carol’s wonderful culinary. With Carol’s attentive care, dad was able to live in his home until he passed. He was truly thankful for that. He is gone now, but not really. He left so much of himself behind in each one of us that we carry on his legacy.

We may not have carried on his name but he passed his extensive knowledge on to us and we in turn pass this knowledge on to his grandkids. In this way he will always be present. Go rest now dad, and be with those who have gone before waiting at the Gates of Heaven to walk you home.

Special thanks to Dr. Basi who so impressed us with his kind, gentle, and professional demeanor, meeting with us frequently to discuss dad’s progress and passing.

Vigil of Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, with both services being held at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 1202 Avenue O South, Saskatoon, SK. Rite of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Rosetown Cemetery. For anyone unable to attend the service, a livestream link has been set up at https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/76250

Dad would be extremely pleased to see donations going to the St John Bosco Wilderness Camp in lieu of flowers. Memorial donations may be mailed to St John Bosco Camp, Box 3002, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 3S9. Please send e-transfers to: payments@JohnBoscocamp.com

Martens Funeral Homes is both honoured and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Labrecque.