Philip Jr. “Sam” Lapensée, 1922-2009

Philip Jr. “Sam” Lapensée, resident of Falher, passed away peacefully and in the presence of family on April 3 at the Sacred Heart Hospital in McLennan at the age of 86. Sam was born on June 13, 1922 in Killam, Alberta, he was the third child in a family of six children born to Philip and Josie Lapensée. In 1929, his family settled in the town of Falher where his father Philip Sr. opened a tailor’s shop. After his completion of school in Falher, Sam joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Dec. 1941 and earned his degree as an aircraft instrumentation technician. He served his country as a wireless air gunner with the No. 1 Air Sea Rescue Squadron stationed in Torbay, Newfoundland and was honourably released from his post in Oct. 1945. Sam married Helen Cote from Whitemud Creek in 1952 and together they raised six children: Shirley, Denise, Yvette, Wayne, Martin and Wendy. Sam was a man of diversity where employment was concerned. A few of his ventures were a jewellery store, market garden and gravel business; he was the occasional handyman, inventor, rescuer, log-cabin builder, and finally, tour guide of Sam’s Flats. Sam loved his paradise at the river and his door was always open. He was a unique man whose distinguished qualities of generosity, creative wit and expression have inspired many of us. His health and quality of life gradually declined after the onset of diabetes and consequently he perished to this disease. We would like to express our kindest gratitude to his caregivers at the Villa Beausejour, Manoir du Lac and Sacred Heart Hospital, where he spent the remainder of his days. He leaves four daughters, two sons and two sisters: Shirley Lapensée (Randy Kusick) of Falher, Denise (Dwayne) Pipella of Sherwood Park, Yvette (Arthur) Cloutier of Donnelly, Wendy (Louis) Anctil of Girouxville, Wayne (Rita) Lapensée of Falher, Martin (Linda) Lapensée of Sherwood Park, Bernadine (Peter) Vogt of Lantzville BC, and Anita (Bill) Kemp of Penticton BC. Sam is predeceased by his parents Philip Sr. And Joséphine (née Leroux) formerly of Cornwall ON, his brother Maurice Lapensée of Vernon BC, and his two sisters Evelyn (August) Boos of Kelowna BC, and Lauretta (Joe) Kronewitt of Stony Plain. He will be sadly missed by his children, 16 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, relatives, dear friends, and by all who knew him. A service in celebration of Sam’s life was held in the Community Hall in Guy. As expressions of sympathy, contributions in his memory may be made to the Royal Legion – Branch 153, Box 417, McLennan AB, T0H 2L0. Service preparations made by Chapel of Memories in Peace River. He will rest in peace at his cabin at “The River”.