Photo Caption:
"The Late Colin LaFortune.
Aged 101 years 7 months 14 days
Sunday, November 30th, 1919, all
that was mortal of Colin LaFortune was borne home from the residence of
his daughter, Mrs. E. L. Nicolls, Dominion Hotel, to its last resting
place near Port Royal.
Deceased had long outlived the
age set by the Psalmist of old, being in his 102nd year at the time of
his demise, which occurred early Friday morning following his having
tripped over a rug on Monday, sustaining a broken rib.
Mr. Lafortune was one of a
family noted for its longevity. His sister died at the age of 98; his
brother Fred passed away at the age of 103, and his brother [sic]
Priest, Louis and Moses, were over 90 when their demise took place.
The LaFortunes moved from
Riviere Beaudette, Quebec Province, about the year 1836, one of their
stopping places at night being the building -- if not the actual
building, for tradition says it was used as a barracks during the war of
1812-14 -- where the Norfolk House now stands.
They pushed on to Port Rowan and
westward to a location near Big Creek. There a comfortable log cabin was
built and Colin hired out to a man who was [sent out] by the Government
to secure [pine logs] for masts. These were floated down Big Creek and
rafted to Montreal, the trip occupying months.
While on this trip or a
subsequent one, Mr. LaFortune married a young wife in Montreal. After a
short married life her demise took place and their infant babe did not
long survive her.
Later Mr. LaFortune married
Sarah Lake of Houghton, who predeceased him.
Deceased was always busy at jobs
suited to his waning strength. In the summer, when not working in his
garden, in which he took pardonable pride, he would go down to the pier
for the purpose of fishing, and he was by no means the least successful
of those who engaged in this pastime.
Deceased was an expert
river-driver and is said to have shot the Lachine Rapids six times in a
small craft. Even today this undertaking is somewhat hazardous, even in
a well-found steamboat.
Even in his old age Mr.
Lafortune possessed a powerful voice, and it is said that in his younger
days he called to his brother, some three miles away, to bring some
chains which were needed in logging operations, and it is asserted that
the message was heard and acted upon. Even though the weather conditions
were very favorable, the remains that his voice must have had phenomenal
carrying power.
Mr. LaFortune's surviving
children are
Frank LaFortune and Mrs. Ira Whitehead of Simcoe;
Mrs. E.
L. Nicolls of Port Dover; Mrs. Sarah Osler of Port Dover; and Mrs.
Overbaugh of Walsingham Township.
Deceased was a total abstainer,
never used tobacco, and in religion was a staunch adherent of the
Methodist Church.
Mr. LaFortune has passed from
our midst, but kindly reflections of him will long remain with those who
had the pleasure of knowing him intimately.
