L'ABBÉ, François-Xavier
Peacefully at the Montfort Hospital on Saturday, September 8th, 2012 at the age of 97. François L'Abbé, or Frank as he was affectionately known to his friends, was born in St- Urbain, County of Charlevoix in the Province of Quebec. He was the 5th of 8 children. After losing his father at the age of 4, Frank quickly inherited the role of an adult within his family. He began working at a very young age, helping his loved ones to make ends meet. By the time he was a young teenager, he was working in a stone quarry in Ste. Anne de Beaupre, wielding a 20 lb sledge hammer. Later, the family moved to Montreal where he worked as a construction labourer. Impressive work ethics, audacity and unparalleled determination became an integral part of who he became. His amazing physical strength and mental toughness allowed him to become a professional wrestler. "Jack" L'Abbé enjoyed an exciting career in entertainment that was unfortunately cut short by a freak injury. The Depression was at its worst, and Frank was off to Val D' Or to work as a
Police officer at the Sullivan Gold Mine. After a few years of service in a tough and challenging mining community, he returned to Montreal, and worked as a welder in the United Shipyards. He began taking a number of evening courses to advance his skills, in preparation for his return to the Construction Industry. There, he directed among other things, the complex outside spiral staircase at l'Oratoire St-Joseph. A daunting task in a period well before 3-D computer designs. He was never one to shy away from seemingly impossible tasks. Proving his technical skills, and ability to lead men, he then went on to supervise a multiplicity of construction projects elsewhere in Montreal, Nicolet, and the Ottawa region. In the late 50's, Frank founded L'Abbé Construction Ltd., and went on to build a large number of commercial and institutional buildings in the Ottawa/Gatineau region. Many of these buildings still stand proudly today. In 1970, Frank was the first French speaking President of the Ottawa Construction Association.
In 1942 he met Lucile Turgeon, his soul mate for the next 60 years. Frank and Lucile had 6 children, built their home in Ottawa, and were prominent members of the francophone community. He retired at the age of 68, and with his soul mate, continued to travel the world.
Dearly beloved husband of the late Lucile (née Turgeon). Loving father of the late Georges (Suzanne Belizle), Hélène, Bernard, Denis (Diane Plante), François (Micheline Clairoux) and Richard (Francine Gagné). Devoted grandfather of Marie-Claude, Gabrièle, Rachel, Fabienne, Françoise, Maxime, Jean-François, Charles, François, Nina, Mélina, Stéphanie, Christine, Erik and Eric. Cherished great-grandfather of Arielle, Gaël, Léandre, Grégoire, Fabrice, Juliana, Xavier, Alexys, Oliver, Sophie, Claudia, Camille, Logan, Niko, and Henry. Dear brother of Gabrielle Ouellet and Cécilia Bernier. Pre- deceased by his brother Lucien and sisters Rose-Aimé, Sr. Yvette, Madeleine and Anne- Marie (Yvon Groulx).
Friends are invited to visit at the St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry 1200 Ogilvie Road (at Aviation Parkway) on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at St-Sébastien Roman Catholic Church 1000 Frances Street, Ottawa at 11 a.m. Interment Notre-Dame Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions to your favorite charity would be appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special gratitude to Mila Camarsi for her exceptional dedication and care for François during the last four years of his life.
