Bernard A. LaFave

Bernard A. LaFave passed away on March 15, 2022 at his home. 

Bernard was born on September 4, 1931 at his parents home in Altona, NY to Leo and Melvina (Snide)

LaFave.  He attended Altona Central School.

He met the love of his life, Dorothy, when he was 16 and she was 13.  Together,

they spent 71 years together, 64 being married.   

Dad was our “Energizer Bunny” who was the hardest working man around. In his younger years

he worked in the construction trade for FW Jenkins during summers and cut wood during the winters.  He owned a flatbed truck, built racks on it and was always earning extra money to provide for his family by hauling loads of wood, or hay, or whatever else anybody needed transported.  He also plowed driveways for numerous people during the winter snow storms.  He spent 10 years as

Highway Superintendent for the Town of Altona.  He then started an excavation business, LaFave’s Trucking, with his son Tony, where they worked side by side for over 35 years, up until a year ago when Dad just didn’t feel like working anymore.  He was only 89 when he stopped working.  

Dad loved to hunt, and he took pride in his well- manicured lawn, always being outside raking or mowing his lawns. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh. He was always willing to help anyone in need.  He loved Wanda’s banana bread, Bev’s sliders, and Sandy’s apple pies. Everybody knew how proud he was of his son Tony.

Bernard is survived by his four children, Wanda Surprenant, Beverly Garrand and her companion

Don Harris, Tony (Kim) LaFave, and Sandy Boulerice and her companion Greg Caron; Nine grandchildren,

Bradley (Tricia) Surprenant, Tisha (Nathaniel) Davis, Jason (Jami) Garrand, Jennifer (Joey) Aubrey,

Nicholas LaFave and his companion Jess Souza, Miranda LaFave, Patrick LaFave, Jesse (Jennie)

Boulerice, and  Lindsay Boulerice;  great-grandchildren, Lydia Surprenant, Jason, Landon and Jaylee Garrand,  Dylan and Mia Monette; step great grandchildren Mya and Johna Poissant, Brooke and Brianna Aubrey.  One sister, Dorothy Pelkey, two brothers, Jerome (Brenda) LaFave and Kenneth LaFave,

two sisters-in-law Shirley LaBarge and Diana Clark.  Several nieces and nephews.

Bernard was predeceased by his loving wife Dorothy, his parents, Leo & Melvina LaFave, Brothers Floyd and Wallace LaFave, son-in-laws Steve Surprenant and Gary Garrand, father & mother-in-law Leo & Irene Bushey, and brother- in- law Leo Bushey.

Per Bernard’s request, there will be no services.

Donations can be made to the Altona Fire Department.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.