"We will miss Dave now and in the future. He was a good friend and would go out of his way to help a friend and even a person he did not know. The Wenstrands will truly miss Dave. He always treated us like family. My God Bless him and hold him in his hands."
In loving memory of
DAVID J. LaBRECHE
July 15, 1942 - August 10, 2007
David J. LaBreche, 65, of 136 W. Crescent Street, Marquette, died Friday, August 10, 2007 at his residence.
David was born on July 15, 1942 in Marquette, a son of Bernard and Effie (Pearson) LaBreche and lived in the Marquette area almost all of his life.
He was a 1960 graduate of Bishop Baraga High School. David then attended Northern Michigan University, entering the U.S. Army in 1961 during the Vietnam War era. Most of his service time was spent in France and he was honorably discharged in 1964.
David then moved to California, working for seven years at Capital Record Company. He later returned to Marquette where he worked on iron ore carriers for a short time. He began working for the Marquette Branch Prison as a corrections officer in 1972, until his retirement in 1997.
David was a member of St. Louis the King Knights of Columbus Council #6447 where he was named Knight of the month and Knight of the year. He was also a member of Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
After his retirement, David was a full time caregiver for his mother, volunteered with the Lake Superior Hospice Association, and became a devoted fundraiser for numerous organizations. He sang with the Marquette Choral Society and The Marquette Male Chorus. David was thrilled to sing with The Male Chorus at Carnegie Hall in New York City in March of 2007.
He was a member of St. Louis the King Catholic Church and often helped out with their Summerfest activities. He baked and cooked for Knights of Columbus activities and also helped out with fish dinners at both St. Christophers Catholic Church and the American Legion, where he was an active member of American Legion Post #44. David was a member of and financial secretary for the VASA Lodge.
In his free time, he was an avid NMU hockey fan and member of its Blue Line Club, pro football fan, Tiger Baseball fan, and enjoyed playing cribbage.
Some of his greatest joys in life were the times he spent with his family. He was generous, kind, and compassionate to all. He enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the kids, telling a good joke, and traveling.
David is survived by one son, Henry Bernard LaBreche of Montpellier, France; five siblings, John (Shalimar) LaBreche of Pikeville, KY, Mary (Robert) Hicks of Anchorage, AK, Paul (Margaret) LaBreche of Green Bay, WI, Tom (Karen) LaBreche of Rutherfordton, NC and Ann (Ronald) Thill of Marquette; nieces and nephews, Dennis, Renee, Timothy, Amy, Nathan, Paul, Tracy, Trista, Matthew, Andrew, Rebekah, Lisa and Erica; also great nieces and nephews, Clay, Katie, Mieka, Amelia, Samantha, Mollyemma, and Natalie. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joseph LaBreche and a nephew, Eric Thill.
Davids family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home where a parish prayer service will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held at St. Louis the King Catholic Church on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ben Paris officiating. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Davids nieces and nephews will act as his escorts and members of Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will provide an honor guard.
Memorials are preferred to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 914 Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855
Tributes
"Hello all, I am REALLY sorry that I cannot be there for the funeral. I loved and will always love Uncle David!!! I am thinking about you all and love everyone very much!!! Once again I am truly sorry. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all during this hard time. God Bless and Take care."
"I was so shocked and saddened to hear about David's passing. I wish I could make it up for the funeral, but unfortunately, I can't get that much time off. I'll be thinking of and praying for all of you. David was a wonderful person and will be missed by many people. Take care, Pam & family"
"Our Thoughts and Prayers will be with Dave and his family. We who got to know him, will all miss him. I grew up with Dave through St. Michael's and on through Bishop Baraga. The last few years he would come to the restaurant and visit. When I got out of surgery he brought Gail a Fruit Basket for me to recover with. He will be missed."
"Sheila and I were sorry to hear of David's passing. We learned of his death while speaking with Helen and Marcia McCracken on Saturday. We read his obituarty in the Mining Journal off the internet. He certainly led an interesting life. It was good to have seen him and other cousins while we were in Marquette last year. You have our deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Sig"
"Ann, Ronald, Erika and Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss. David was a great guy and always a joy to talk with. You will be in my thoughts a prayers. Take care, Eric Wolf"
"I wish to sent my condolence`s to the LaBreche family.I worked with David in the 1980`s God bless you all."
"Our prayers and thoughts are with you."
"Dave was always thinking of others and how he could be of help to them. I was fortunate to have visited from Calif. just this summer. Some of my favorite memories were the times in his kitchen, watching him cook those wonderful meals for his family and friends. He always had a wonderful smile and a hug for everyone. We will truly miss him."
"I worked with Dave at Marquette Branch from 1980 until 1986. Dave and I car pooled daily. He was a quiet, generous, and compassionate man and a good friend. Please know that the prayers of my family are with you during this time of sorrow."
"Uncle David was such a generous and caring man. I'm sorry Samantha and Mollyemma won't get the opportunity to know their great uncle David. We will miss him very much. Love, Renee"
"I am sorry that it took the obituary notification to catch up on all that David was involved in and accomplished in his 65 years. He was a devoted son who was there when his mother needed him. It was an example of the reversal of roles. David became the care giver and executed those duties with respect and "TLC" (tender, loving care). David was there for us Nelson kids when we needed a house sitter to stay in my father's house, following his death. To know the LaBreche Family has afforded me with many memorable experiences. I never did go home without a stop at the LaBreche's, usually several stops. They epitomized their religion by setting examples. I was so glad Jack and I got to see David last summer, never realizing that it would be our last opportunity to see him. Speedy journey, David, into God's loving care. In loving memory, Joni"
"To David's Family Dotty & I send our deepest sympathies to you all! David was a warm and friendly guy and a great classmate at Bishop Baraga High School. We shared many experiences together including two victories at the Indianapolis Speed Way watching the Indy 500. David celebration of his life at St. Louis the King Church will always be remembered by us. The music provided by the lector at St. Louis was superb and the Piu Jesu sung by The Male Chorus was a tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber. David would have loved the pomp and circumstance provided in his honor by the 4th Degree members of the K of C in all their regalia to celebrate the life and contributions of a fellow knight - congratulations! Fr. Ben Paris captured the essence of the readings and provided the inspiration and meditations of the Words of Our Lord and a message for all of us to ponder and remember the life and times of a good man, David LaBreche Lastlly, the beautiful obituary as written by the LaBreche Family was a wonderful tribute to a kind and generous man, often troubled, but now free and at a better place! Thanks and God Bless Pete & Dotty Murk"
"It is sad to lose our good Sir Knight David. He was a most compassionate, caring and sensitive man who taught those virtues to us all. May he rest in peace."