John P. LaClair

John P. LaClair, of Aitkin died Saturday, December 7, 2019 at his residence.  He was born October 31, 1934 in Saint Paul to John C. and Ethel M. (Leonard) LaClair.  He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Midway during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged in 1955.  He attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering for 2 years on the G.I. Bill. In 1958 he joined the St. Paul Fire Department and was a Fire Fighter for 32 years until his retirement in 1990.  John was united in marriage to Catherine “Kate” L. Gill on April 19, 1968 in Minneapolis.  They had been coming to the Dam Lake area near Aitkin since the mid 1970’s and moved full time after his retirement.  He was a “Jack of all trades”, an avid sportsman, and enjoyed riding his “side by side”.  He was a member of the American Legion, Dam Lake Association, state and local ATV clubs, the Up North Riders Club, Saint James Catholic Church, and a lifetime member of the VA.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

John is survived by his wife Kate;

Sons and daughter-in-law: Michael (Katherine Newton) LaClair

and Scott LaClair;

Grandchildren: Melissa, John, and Megan LaClair,

and Samantha (Kyler) Gilliland, and Brandon LaClair;

A great-granddaughter on the way;

Sisters and brother-in-law: Joan (Paul) Cyr and Emara White;

Many other  special relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 6:00P.M. – Thursday, at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.  Father David Forsman will officiate.  Visitation will begin at 4:00P.M. Thursday until the 6:00P.M. service at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will be at Saron Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to Up North Riders Club and Relay For Life.  www.srtfuneral.com

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