LAWRENCE CONRAD LAHAIE

Lawrence was born Aug. 20, 1928, in Alpena to the late Conrad and Sophie (Jaziela) LaHaie. He was the first born of six children. Larry graduated from St. Anne High School and went to work at the garment factory to help his mother pay the bills after his father passed away. At the factory he worked making tents for the military until the factory closed. He then worked at Douville Bakery until he was called to serve in the United States Army as a radio operator. He left by Greyhound bus from Alpena to Illinois, then to camp McCoy in Wisconsin. Five ships of men were sent to Germany, four ships made it there OK. Larry’s ship had a broken rudder, it arrived two days later. Larry said half of the crew was seasick going to Germany.

When Larry came home from the Army, Jesse Besser told Larry’s mom that her boys would always have a job at Besser Company as their father worked there and she was a widow. All the boys did work at Besser. Larry worked with Walter “Wimpy” VanWagner. He retired from Besser in 1990. Larry was on Besser bowling league and a member of the Alpena Eagles 1241 and its pool league for many years and recently stopped shooting pool. He worked the Friday Fish Fry and was the secretary/treasurer for over 50 years. He also was a member of the American Legion for the past 65 years and the secretary/treasurer for over 60 years. Larry was active in the Legion, he marched in parades, sold poppies every year and continued to sell them even this year at the age of 88. Larry was named the Veteran of the Year by the Veterans Council from 2016-2017. He was famous for saying “don’t work too hard.”

In 1960, he met the love of his life, Pat Kuznicki. They got married on Sept. 9, 1961.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia “Pat”; one daughter, Yvette (Bruce) Cushman; his best buddy and only grandchild, Jared Cushman; brother Virgil (Margie) LaHaie; sister, Charlene McGuire; sisters-in-law, Geri LaHaie, Catherine LaHaie; brother-in-law, Dick Laney; several nieces and nephews including Lisa Sobeck, whom cared for him.

Mr. LaHaie was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin LaHaie, Donald LaHaie; and sister, Carol Laney.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. Military honors will be accorded him at 5 p.m. by Alpena V.F.W. Post 2496, an Eagles Service at 5:30 p.m. and parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with Rev. Polycarp Mblarawa officiating.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan or St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish