Guy Laurendeau, 81

On Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at 2:18 p.m. a great man, wonderful friend, loving father, and unique personality passed from this world 'to be with his Lord and Savior.'

Guy Laurendeau was born in Montreal, Quebec, on Oct. 8,1924, to Georges and Stella Franceur Laurendeau. As a result of family circumstances he spent a portion of his youth in a Catholic orphanage.

Migrating west to California at the age of 17, he served a stint in the U.S. Army before beginning a long and remarkably successful career in business. His first business was as an owner and operator of a parking lot in Hollywood where he met all of the great movie stars and celebrities of the day. He then took a job with Pachmayer Gun Works as an engineer and firearms tester, serving also as a guide for company hunting parties to Colorado, Mexico and many other locations.

In the 1960s he started Trans-Aero, his own aircraft interior design and manufacturing company, building interiors for both commercial and private aircraft. He developed a long-standing relationship with Boeing aircraft and won many awards of recognition during the years he did business with them. The seats he designed and built are still in use in commercial aircraft today. After successfully negotiating the sale of his company to a large English corporation, he continued to serve as a consultant to the company for five years.

Guy's enthusiasm for life was apparent in everything he did. He was accomplished in many areas of endeavor and had an abiding interest in a wide variety of hobbies and activities. No matter what he turned his attention to, he did it wholeheartedly and well.

His love of boats led him to sailing, which he did with great skill, winning many competitive races, including the President's Cup, a long-distance race from Newport, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico.

When his attention turned to aviation, he became a pilot and aircraft owner with many exciting tales of flying exploits. Other sporting activities included snow skiing and scuba diving, as well as racing cars and power boats. Once when talking about his hobbies, he mentioned that he had done everything but skydiving.

Guy loved to cook and to entertain. His passion for food extended to entering the annual Bigfork Tamarack Time! cooking competition, which he won many times for his chili and stews.

Guy and his wife of 21 years, Toni, purchased land in Bigfork in 1991, and moved here permanently in 1992, naming his Montana paradise Nirvana.

All of his life, Guy was very active in civic organizations and benevolent groups, especially after arriving in Bigfork. He was extremely active in Big Brothers and Sisters and always brought many people to the annual Select 100 fundraising dinner. He won the 2005 Big Hat Award for outstanding community service given by the Bigfork Development Company. He earned the rank of general in the Bigfork Elves, creating the tradition of traveling among the decorating parties with hot chocolate and schnapps.

He was a relentless recruiter for civic organizations and was active in Rotary, The Scott Valley Soldiers Memorial Fund, and most recently the Intermountain Children's Home. In 2000, Guy was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a short time to live. He started attending the Bigfork Friday morning Bible study known as The Dirt Bags and soon became an amazing recruiter for the Dirt Bags, bringing many people into that group. Guy accepted Christ and was baptized in Flathead Lake on July 4, 2002.

In light of his deep and abiding love and appreciation of women, it is only fitting that a celebration of his life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Mother's Day, May 14, at Flathead Lake Lodge; casual attire is acceptable.

He is survived by his wife, Toni Laurendeau; daughter, Renee Coursey, of Sonoma, Calif.; son, John Gary Laurendeau, of Kimball, Mich.; brother, George Laurendeau, of Eureka Calif.; sister, Mimi Henkes, of Bend, Ore.; grandchildren, Guy Coursey, Jason Coursey, Michelle Coursey and Lisa Laurendeau; stepsons, Michael and Vince Bologna of San Pedro, Calif., and Perry Harding of Barnegat, N.J.; stepgrandchildren, Christian Bologna, Sydney and Ryan Harding; along with his three great-grandchildren, Lauren, Nicole and Abigail Coursey, and all who claimed him as a friend, father, brother and grandfather. He also leaves behind his pet companions, Miss Pea, Buster and Prince Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, please send your memorials to Intermountain Children's Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601.