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Leon Lafaille Obituary
February 20, 1918 - May 21, 2019
Leon Louie Lafaille, of Modesto, CA, passed away on May 21, 2019. He was 101 years old.
Leon was born in Oakland, CA on February 20, 1918 to Felix and Bertha Lafaille. He graduated from University High School in Oakland in 1936. He attended Stanford University, where he played 4 years on the basketball team. He graduated from Stanford in 1941. Leon then served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and coached basketball for 3 years in Houston, TX while serving. He coached basketball at Monterey High School in Monterey, CA for 2 years. He then moved to Modesto in 1948 and became the basketball coach at Modesto Junior College, until 1958. He was a coach, golf instructor, teacher and administrator at MJC until he retired in 1980. He was inducted into the MJC Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
He married Carol (Young) Lafaille in 1942; they were married for 46 years. He was married to Eileen (Oesau) Lafaille from 1989 to 2001. He married his current wife Patricia (Abel) Lafaille in 2002.
He enjoyed traveling to France and other European countries. He went to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, KY and attended the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA. He also loved to attend the Olympic Games. Leon was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Bertha Lafaille; wife Carol Lafaille; wife Eileen Lafaille; sister Phyllis Kuhn; brother Mervin LaFaille; daughter-in-law Brenda Lafaille. He is survived by his wife Patricia Lafaille; three children Marie (Gary) Lowery, Gary (Christy) Lafaille, and Dale Lafaille; two step-children Nancy Oesau and John Oesau. 'Poppa' leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 2pm, Friday, June 14, 2019 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto. Reception to follow at Famiglia Bistro in Modesto; please rsvp to Christy Lafaille at [email protected].
He was a lifelong inspiration to his athletes, students and family. Those wishing to honor Leon are encouraged to make a donation to MJC Athletics c/o Modesto Junior College Foundation, 435 College Ave, Modesto, CA 95350.
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Memories and Condolences
for Leon Lafaille
Maxine Besio Rix
October 8, 2021
To Marie: so sorry to hear of your father's passing. What a long life! I was doing a search for you and ended up at your fathers obituary. I cannot connect on classmates because I am not a paying member. Those were such good years back in the Del Mar and Del Monte days. Living in Truckee and loving it!
Jeanne Pollars
June 3, 2020
My parents, Arilee and Jim Pollard, were friends of a lifetime. Although a few years younger, my dad followed Leon into a world of basketball, first in Oakland, then at Stanford, and eventually into coaching. He thought highly of Leon.
I looked up Leon's name in the old Stanford Daily Archives and here is a picture of him (top right, grabbing the dish I believe) while hashing in Encina Hall
Samantha Maiorana
October 23, 2019
I met Leon during homecoming in October 2010, when I was a freshman at Stanford and he was attending his class reunion. I went to sit down at the Round Table talk and was quickly kicked out of my seat. The next seat I took was next to Patricia and Leon, and I'm so glad I did. We started chatting and ended up having a great time talking to each other. Leon was so nice and energetic. I loved hearing his stories about Stanford and how Patricia and him met. After the Round Table, we decided to exchange emails where I would periodically send them life updates. Sometimes I got the opportunity to say hello to them at the football games they attended.
Tomorrow, 9 years after we met, I am going to my own 5 year reunion. I was excited to send Leon and Patricia an email but stumbled upon this webpage instead. My condolences to everyone. I will miss Leon greatly. I'll never forget Leon's welcoming and joyful personality and I will never forget his love for Stanford.
The photo I included was the 1942 Stanford team that won the NCAA's., the year after Leon graduated.
Jeanne Pollard
June 11, 2019
My father, Jim Pollard, played basketball with Leon at Stanford when Dad was a freshman and Leon a senior. They kept a lifetime friendship, built on respect and a love of basketball. Carol, and later Eileen were friends with my mother, Arilee. He was an honorable man, and will be greatly missed.
Mary Coelho
June 9, 2019
Mr. Lafaille was my golf instructor in 1961. Due to physical limitations, he said if I attended every class and did the best I could possibly do, he would give me a passing grade. I never missed and he kept his word. All these years later, I still remember his ever present smile and kindness. May his soul rest in God's peace.
With Loving Sympathy,
Mary Coelho
Sla
June 6, 2019
My sincerest condolences to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. One day many will have the opportunity to live again. May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you during this difficult time.-John 17:3
June 6, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 6, 2019
What a wonderful long life your loved one had, Psalm 90:10 says that the days of our years are 70 years, and if because of special mightiness they are 80 years. Special mightiness indeed. May the memories of the wonderful times you shared together bring a smile and joy in your heart. *
June 6, 2019
My sincere condolences for the passing of your loved one. The God of compassion and Great Love tells you how much he feels for you in this trying time. Fillipians 4:6,7
June 6, 2019
May your family find peace in the comfort of God and His Holy promises. Isaiah 32:18
D. S.
June 6, 2019
Condolences to family and friends: during this most difficult time may our loving God bring you peace and warmth. May our loving God bring you peace and warmth and may you continue to cherish those most memorable times you enjoyed together.
June 6, 2019
Sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort as you look forward to the fulfillment of Ps 37:29, when our loved ones will be with us forever.
June 6, 2019
I'm so sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you in this time of grief. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 "pray constantly"
Lakewood Funeral Home
June 8, 2019
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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