JAMES LAPLANTE

1945 – 2026

James Louis “Jim” Laplante passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Rose Garden Hospice in Prince Albert, SK.

Jim was born on Monday, June 25, 1945, in East Sussex, England. In 1946, he came to Canada aboard the Queen Mary with his mother, Joyce, and his older sister, Avis. They arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS, and Jim was raised in St. Louis, SK.

Throughout his life, Jim held many occupations. He cooked in northern work camps and worked on a Canadian National Railway construction crew, replacing old ties and laying new track. He also operated a cat for the Department of Natural Resources, worked on the construction of the John G. Diefenbaker Dam near Outlook, SK, and was a farmhand for numerous area farmers.

Jim served in the militia for two years. In 1966, he joined the Canadian Army, where he served until 1967.

Jim chose to remain a happy bachelor. He loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews, and delighted in telling them larger-than-life stories in true Paul Bunyan fashion. A proud Métis man, Jim was well known for the bannock he prepared for the community on special occasions. He was also invited to teach local students how to make it. Jim enjoyed listening to old-time music, following chuckwagon races, and watching jigging contests.

On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Jim was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He faced his illness with courage until his passing at Rose Garden Hospice.

Jim leaves to cherish his memory his son, Colin Richard; his siblings, Avis Reynolds, Ken LaPlante (Donna), Martin Laplante (Linda), Rosemary Schaffer (Larry), Pauline Boutin, Judith Sommerfeldt, Gail Morrison, and Wendy Chicoine; as well as his many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Louis; his mother, Joyce; his sister, Daphne Sturby; his niece, Angela Boutin; his nephews, Carson Hansen and Brett Morrison; his great-nephew, Noah McDougall; his great-niece, Darby Wenman; and his brothers-in-law, Robbie Reynolds, Roy Parker, Don Sturby, Roger Boutin, Paul Sommerfeldt, Frank Morrison, and Allan Chicoine.

A Graveside Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, at South Hill Cemetery, Prince Albert, SK, with Rev. Nora Vedress officiating.

In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries/james-jim-laplante/167714.html . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, Colette Harnett, Funeral Director, and Jordain McKnight.

• Date : 2026-10-03
• Location : Prince Albert, SK