Francis A. Lacombe

FRANCIS ARCHIBALD LACOMBE (1927 - 2010) passed away peacefully on April 19th, 2010 in Newport, Vermont at the age of 82, after a short but courageous struggle with Cancer. The son of the late Isabel McKinnon of Glen Sandfield, Ontario and the late Archie Lacombe of Dalhousie, Quebec, he leaves to mourn, his beloved life partner of 38 years, Bryan Bowers, his beloved sister, Gertrude Sheppard of Toronto, and two dear members of his extended family, Robert Knox of Montréal, and Geegee Zaveson of Jay, Vermont. He will also be much missed by many other members of his extended family including his nieces Gail Lacombe deGruchy (Larry) of Montreal, Beverlee Lacombe Chivers (Tom) of Washington, Lynn Sheppard of Vancouver, Michele Sheppard of Toronto, Frances Lacombe Burnel, Mary Lacombe Thiele (Harry), Linda Lacombe Hewitt (Ted), Ann Lacombe, Marguerite Lacombe Dennis (Tim), his nephews, Lenny Lacombe (Lanny), Kenny Lacombe (Nancy) and Gordie Lacombe (Mary Elizabeth). Francis will be also missed by his very close cousins, Fred Forde of Toronto, John Lacombe of Rockwood, Ontario, Catherine (Mackinnon) Leroux of Ottawa, and Dorothty Lacombe Wheeler of Coquitlam, British Columbia. His many friends in both the United States and Canada with whom he shared a mutual love of music, skiing, playing bridge, gourmet meals, jogging, good conversation and kindness will also miss him. Frank had a life full of wonderful experiences and unforgettable events. He attended Belmont Elementary School, Loyola High School '45, and Loyola College '49 and received his degree in Education at l'Université de Montréal '56. He was a teacher at Canon O'Meara (Point St.Charles) and at Holy Cross (Ville Emard) elementary schools, and at Cardinal Newman High School. He was Assistant Principal at John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel (1964 -1969), and Principal at Pius Ninth High School (Montréal Nord) ( 1969 -1971), William Hingston High School (Park Extension) (1971-1981), and Thomas D'Arcy McGee High School (1981-1983). He retired in 1983 after thirty-two years in education with La Commission des Ecoles Catholiques de Montréal. Other accomplishments during his life included being honoured with a medal from Queen Elizabeth II while he was at William Hingston High School, and working closely with Tony Walsh, the Founder of Benedict Labre House until Mr. Walsh took his retirement many years later. It was an exceptional life for an exceptional man. Following his cremation, he will be interred at a later date at the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. At his request there will be no funeral service, but the family is planning a gathering to celebrate his wonderful life at a date, and time to be determined. The Family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the North Country Hospital in Newport and the Bel-Aire Center in Newport for the wonderful, comforting care they provided him. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Hope Lodge, Lois McClure - Bee Tabakin Building, 237 East Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401-3412. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.