Pierre LaChapelle died suddenly at the age of 77, on the first day of Spring, March 20th, 2021, clearing brush and cutting logs on his rural property in Lanark County. His family was profoundly saddened by his passing but take some comfort that we were by his side when he died, and that he did not linger or suffer. Instead, he went out the way he wanted to, cherished, vital, active, sharp, and participating fully.
In this passing, Pierre left behind his wife, Laurette (Legault), of 46 years and his daughter Adrienne (John) Morin. He was the older brother of Dianne, Mike and Suzanne, uncle to Matthew and Laura and grandfather to Wilfred and Eleanor. He did not live to meet his third grandchild, Ursula Fae Morin. Pierre was the cherished brother-in-law and uncle to Laurette’s many siblings, nieces and nephews.
Pierre was born Gerard Ambrose Pierre LaChapelle to Robert LaChapelle Jr. and Alma DuLac in Toronto, Ontario, in 1943. The eldest of four children he became the family breadwinner at age 12 when his father died. Pierre credited the Canadian Air Cadet movement with keeping him grounded during his teenage years. He worked before and after school and full time during the summers to help support his mother and family. Pierre’s interest in the military was piqued and he saw the possibility of a career. He enlisted first in the reserves and then in the Canadian Forces. He served with both the Royal 22nd Regiment (1964-1975) and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1975-1998), in the arctic, on peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Guatemala, at DND Headquarters in Ottawa, as NATO liaison officer in Italy as well as other postings and assignments. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Canadian Forces in 1998 and started his own defence consulting firm. He continued to work on a variety of challenging projects up until his death.
Pierre hated a fuss and never liked to be the centre of attention. While he liked to tell stories many of his great works and endeavours were carried out quietly without fanfare. He lived by a simple motto: do good, be the best version of yourself, and leave every situation a little better than you found it.
Pierre’s family has erected a monument for him at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery (plot 3690B). Pierre’s ashes will be interred at his rural property in Lanark County, in which he took immense pleasure and comfort.
A celebration of life will be held for Pierre on Saturday August 13, 2022, at the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa at 1 p.m. followed by a reception.
Digital Guestbook
Frank Russell CD1 WO (Ret'd)
Colonel (Retired) John M. Cody
Pierre: you and I were the greatest of friends while we both served with 180 (Mosquito) RC(Air)C Squadron in Toronto while we were growing up. You were one of my best friends while we were with that very fine unit, and I still recall learning the lessons of life they taught us all. Later in our careers we were both serving in NDHQ when we bumped into one another again, which was a great pleasure for me. I was a Navy Pilot and you were an Infanteer for Life! And a proud one at that. I will never forget the day you died... I said a prayer for you at the time. I admired the "way you were", as described in your Obit: you always pitched in quietly to help anyone in your circle of friends and acquaintances who needed it, just like you did when you were a teenager. Rest easy my old friend, until we meet again.
Mike and Fran Rushton
Pierre was in charge of the Garrison in Winnipeg when the unit was in Cyprus in 1976. In reminiscing over the years FrN has always praised Pierre and Laurette for the generous and caring way they supported the spouses and families. We are so sorry to hear of Pierre’s death: he was a gentle man, selfless and full of joy. We know you will miss him dearly. Mike and Fran Rushton, Orleans.
Rest in Peace Pierre. Nice to have known you (Through Son-in-law John Morin)