1920   - 2013

It is with sadness and regret that the family announce the passing of Joseph Aurele Lavigne, 92, of Varrily St., Bathurst, which occurred on Thursday, August 22, 2013.

Born in Bathurst he was the son of the late William and Dora (Pallot) Lavigne.

He is survived by his wife, Anna (Perugini) Lavigne.

His six children: George (Murielle), Andrew (Jennifer Innes) and Elvira Lavigne, both of Ottawa, Ont., Alphonse (Dolores) of Bathurst, Gaetano of Burlington, Ont. and Carl (Line Sonier) of Fredericton.

Four grandsons: Matthew, René, Phillip and Marc.

His six sisters: Lorine Lavigne, Dora LeBreton, Majella Cormier, Anne Marie Sonier, Norma Lewis and Margaret Rose Wood.

His two brothers: Robert and Maurice.

Several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Louis and his sisters: Edwidge, Lorina, Jeanette and Blanche.

He was a graduate of Bathurst High School and of the Memramcook Institute before serving with the Royal Canadian Army in World War II in Canada and overseas.  In 1946, he returned with his Italian war bride and started a general store in Shippagan.  Eight years later, he opened a grocery store in West Bathurst (corner of Queen and Riverside). He later became regional agent for Prudential Life Insurance, until he was hired to the accounting department at the Belledune Smelter.  He then joined the management of Blanchard Motors (now Bayside Chrysler Dodge) and lastly became part owner of Devaal Motors (Honda Dealer).  He retired when the business was sold.

He was a member of Holy Family Church, Herman J. Good, V.C. Br. 18 Royal Canadian Legion, the Knights of Columbus, Friends In Song, lifetime membership to Gowan Brae Golf Club, the Bathurst Curling Club and the Bathurst Arts Society.

The family will receive relatives and friends after 2 p.m. Monday at Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.ehlatton.com), Bathurst. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning (August 27, 2013) at 11 a.m. from Holy Family Church, St. Peter Ave, Bathurst. 

Visiting hours are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral. 

Donations in memory of Aurele may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation.