Obituary of Peter V. LaFontaine

Rouses Point Peter V. LaFontaine, "Pete the Barber", 71, of Rose Avenue, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh with his loving family by his side. He was born in Plattsburgh, September 29, 1941, a son of the late Herman and Marie (Breyette) LaFontaine formerly of Dannemora, NY. Pete graduated from St. John's Academy in Plattsburgh in 1958 and attended Barber School in Schenectady immediately following high school. He worked as a barber in Plattsburgh at the North Country Shopping Center where he met his wife, the former Roberta Bechard, who was working next door in the beauty shop. After a brief six months of dating, they married on October 19, 1963. They would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this coming October. Pete owned and operated "Pete's Barber Shop" in Rouses Point for over 46 years, only retiring due to health issues. He thouroughly enjoyed his many loyal customers and so enjoyed the visits at his home from friends and former customers. Pete enjoyed the outdoors, and was an avid fisherman with flyfishing being his favorite. He also loved hunting ducks and partridge with his first dog, "Muffit", and his present dog, "Abby". He also enjoyed their yearly trips to Maine for surf fishing. Pete was past secretary for the Rouses Point Sportsmen's Club for several years and was instrumental in helping form the former Rouses Point Shooting Range which is now the Ridge Runners Shooting Range. He was named Woodmen of the World's Conservationalist of the year in 1975 and was an honorary member of the Rouses Point Volunteer Fire Department. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Roberta "Robin" LaFontaine of Rouses Point, his beloved daughter, Shelley and her husband, Thomas, and his cherished grandson, Peter, all of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, his brother-in-law, Robert and wife Claudia of Vermont and their three children and six grandchildren, and his aunt Doris "Pud" Breyette and cousins of Plattsburgh. In addition to his parents, Pete was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Kelly, who died hours earlier on July 4, 2013 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, his sister Mary Elizabeth "Dodie" Cameron, and his brother Roger Quinn. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 2, 2013 at M.B. Clark Funeral Home, 196 Elm Street, Champlain, NY. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Rouses Point. Immediately following committal prayers, family and friends will gather for a reception at the American Legion Post #912, Pratt Street, Rouses Point. Memorial Contributions in Pete's memory may be made to the Rouses Point Rescue Squad or to the Rouses Point Fire Department. To light a candle by sharing your thoughts or memories, please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.