Valmore Louis Lafontaine

Valmore "Val" Louis LaFontaine, 80, formerly a longtime resident of Mount Hope Street, North Attleboro, died on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at Albion Court of Lincoln in Lincoln, Rhode Island where he had been a resident since February 2008. He was the devoted husband of 37 years of the late Joyce Marie (Arnold) LaFontaine who died on January 8, 1997. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on March 25, 1932, he was a son of the late Valmore L. and Blanche Mary (Gavlick) LaFontaine. He was raised in South Attleboro and was a 1950 graduate of St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and earned his Bachelor's degree in business management from the College of Holy Cross in 1956 and his Master's in Education from Providence College years later. While attending St. Raphael Academy, Mr. LaFontaine excelled in sports and was a member of the academy's football squad as a left guard. He was selected as an All State player during the 1949 season. He continued his football success at the College of Holy Cross where he was a member of the squad for four years. He often recalled the times at Holy Cross and since that time all of his three children graduated from the college and a granddaughter will be honoring the family tradition as she graduates from the institution this week. Returning to his high school alma mater, Mr. LaFontaine taught and was the award-winning head football coach for St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket and later at Seekonk High School before becoming the Assistant Superintendent of Public Schools for the Town of Seekonk until his retirement in 1987. Prior to moving to Lincoln, Rhode Island more than four years ago, he was a resident of North Attleboro since 1962. He was a communicant of St. Mark Roman Catholic Church in Attleboro Falls. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing particularly at Rangeley Lakes, Maine and in addition to gardening enjoyed hiking and picking blueberries, lilacs and pussywillows. He will be most lovingly remembered for his devotion to his late wife, children and grandchildren. Always an advocate for children, he treasured being able to coach and offer guidance and direction to the students over the years. His proudest moments were those spent advocating for them, individually and collectively, and took great pride in assisting them to gain acceptance into the institutions of higher education they selected. He leaves a legacy to inspire and help kids achieve their best. Mr. LaFontaine subscribed to a mantra where athletics were the instruments and academics the inspirational source of the educational structure. In 1992, Mr. LaFontaine was inducted into the Town of Seekonk Athletic Hall of Fame. He leaves three children: Donna M. LaFontaine, MD of Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island and her husband, Colonel John Packhem of the Rhode Island National Guard, of Cumberland, Rhode Island; Jeanne L. Hebert and her husband, Carl J. Hebert, of North Attleboro and David J. LaFontaine and his wife, Diane (Ravinski) LaFontaine, of Sutton; eight grandchildren: Kaitlyn E. Hebert of South Boston; Madison E. Hebert and Carl J. Hebert both of North Attleboro; Katherine M. Packhem and Jack V. Packhem both of Cumberland, Rhode Island and Samantha N. LaFontaine, Jacob D. LaFontaine and Margaret J. LaFontaine all of Sutton; his siblings: Barbara Habershaw of Attleboro; Kathleen Lyons of Sarasota, Florida; Elaine LeComte of Falmouth; Jacqueline Hutchinson of Duxbury and Carol Ann Murphy of Norwell; his companion: Doris Kusiak and her family of Seekonk and several nieces, nephews, extended relatives and dear friends representing all phases of his life. He was the brother of the late Joseph LaFontaine. Visitation has been respectfully omitted. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial tomorrow, Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 10:30 AM at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church, 105 Stanley Street (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, turn right onto Stanley Street in ½ mile and travel to end of Stanley Street), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Thomas A. Frechette, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be private. The immediate family will greet guests at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass following which an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at the Red Stone Grill, North Attleboro. Please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. LaFontaine's name and in honor of his life devoted to education may be made to the Joyce and Valmore LaFontaine Scholarship Fund, c/o the North Attleboro Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 926, North Attleboro, MA 02761-0926. And so, as he concluded countless motivational speeches over the years. "Hit, Hit, Hit, Never Quit!" For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.