Clair G. "Frenchie" LaLonde

Clair George LaLonde was born in Wasco County, Oregon to parents William Pierre and Ella Irene (Bourland) LaLonde. When he was very young, his parents separated and he went to live with family members in Vancouver, WA and part of the time Clair lived with family members in Dufur, OR. Much of his young life was spent doing farm hand work and “character building” labor. He remembered hot, dusty summers bucking hay in Dufur and did not always look back upon those days fondly. Upon the conclusion of 8th grade, he went to work full time on the farms and later earned his high school equivalency diploma.

In 1950, at the age of 20, Frenchie Joined the US Navy where he served on the USS Wiseman during the Korean Conflict. While stationed in San Diego, Frenchie met Betty Glover in a dance hall. They were married on March 1, 1952, in San Diego. Following Frenchie’s honorable discharge from the Navy, they pulled up stakes from San Diego and relocated to Oregon City, OR in 1954. Frenchie went to work for Pacific Power Line.

In 1960, the family moved into the home that they had built on Bank Street in St Johns . The Bank street home remains the family home to this day. Frenchie and Betty had three daughters – Gaylen, Jacqueline, and Andrea. The family enjoyed many outdoors adventures together hunting, camping, and fishing. Following employment with Pacific Power Line, Frenchie’s primary occupation was as a Hotel Maintenance Engineer for hotels such as Benson, Sheraton, and Red Lion (formerly Thunderbird) to name a few. He remained active and employed right up until his last years and his most recent job was working alongside his daughter Jackie at Portland Rose Garden Arena where Frenchie served as an usher. In his leisure time, Frenchie enjoyed bowling and following baseball and hockey games/teams. His favorite teams were the Seattle Mariners and the Portland Beavers (back when there was such an outfit). Betty shared his love for baseball and the two followed and watched the sport together. They also enjoyed Portland Winterhawks hockey. For a brief period, Frenchie tried his hand at the sport of Jalopy Racing and he took part in some of the “Destruction Derbies” that were held at the original Portland Raceway. Frenchie will be remembered as a loving father, husband, and friend. He will also be remembered for his great sense of humor and warm and friendly nature.

Frenchie is predeceased by his loving wife Betty; parents William and Ella; twin siblings that sadly died at birth, a brother, William Jr. and a sister, Mary; half-brother Bill Lalonde; and half-sister Andrea Belocca. He is survived by his daughters: Gaylen Flynn, Jacqueline Miller, and Andrea Bates; half-sister, Juanita LaLonde; grandchildren: Michelle Miller, Lanora Bates, Joseph Bates; great-grandchild, Jaiden Knapp; and many extended grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. Last, but certainly not least, Frenchie is also survived by his toy poodle companion, Luke, who misses Frenchie very much.

A Celebration of Frenchie’s Life will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Or, on Monday, March 11th, 2013, at 11am. A reception will follow in Portland Rose Quarter Rose Room from 1-4p.

Please visit Frenchie’s Internet memorial and online guestbook at www.skylinememorialgardens.com.

Please make entry into the guestbook located at this site. Thank you.