June 25, 1930 - December 30, 2019
Louis was born in Fort Francis, Ontario, the 2nd youngest of 5 children born to Adolphus LaRocque and Lottie Ottoson. In the late 1940's the family moved west to the area around Whistler, BC where Louis and his father worked in the forest industry. Around 1952 the call of the Yukon brought Louis to Whitehorse to join his older brother. Brother Al was with the Canadian Army and working as a truck driver on the Alaska Highway, Louis found work with the Army driving bus and highway maintenance. It was during this time that he caught the eye of a young, local lady, Sylvia Williams. Louis and Sylvia married in the mid-1950's and added 4 kids to complete the family. After a three-year break in Vancouver, while Louis did educational upgrading and drove Vancouver City buses, the family returned to Whitehorse. Louis joined the White Pass and Yukon route in 1968 and drove truck, mostly hauling ore from the Faro and Cassiar mines.
Many happy family memories were made at the Tagish Lake family cabin. Fishing, snowmobiling, cards and eating food cooked on the old wood stove are still remembered as the best of times.
Louis was a gentle, quiet soul and was loved by those who knew him. He kept his humility, humour and grace throughout the last months and managed to give smiles right to the end. Louis had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, and they knew it. A wag of a tail and a little dance would for sure earn them pats and cookies that could always be produced, Louis was known to make special trips to the store just for the cookies!
Louis was a loving father and will be missed very much by his children Lonnie (Jody), Lorne (Fran), Desiree (Rick), Derwyn, survived by his loving sister Elsie Keno (Henry), grandchildren Becky, Kelly, Alcina, Nicole, Robert, Tory, Samantha, great-grandchildren Madi, Sydney, Kyuss, Cohen, Otis, and Koda, and his friends in Haines Junction and Whitehorse.
The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers who looked after him - Dr. Rockenstein, Dr. Biss, Homecare staff in Haines Junction and Whitehorse, the nursing staff at Whitehorse General Hospital and Whistle Bend Place. We are so very grateful that he was cared for so well during the time he needed it. A special thank-you to Heritage North Funeral home for their compassion and professionalism at the end.
Death ends a life, not a relationship.