Bathurst - It is with a very heavy heart that I wish to announce the passing of the love of my life, Jean-Marc “John” Labonville of Sunset Drive, Bathurst, NB, which occurred peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at our home with myself, our daughter Melissa, son-in-law Kevin, and his precious granddaughter Allie by his side.
John was born March 12, 1943 in Stratford, Québec, and became an American citizen shortly after, and was raised in Gorham, New Hampshire.
John was the second born of the late Eléodore and Rolande (Bourque) Labonville, and is survived by myself, Darlene Salesse-Labonville, children Carl (Rebecca) from Golden, BC, Jody (Hélène Guenette) from Bathurst, Stephanie from Galveston, Texas, Melissa McGivery (Kevin) from Hampton, NB.
His cherished grandchildren, Stacey, Makayla (Austin), Allie, Amelia, Malcolm, and his great granddaughter, Leigha.
He also leaves behind several nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews.
Family was so important and special to John, and he will be sadly missed by his two brothers, Jack (Anita) from Gorham, New Hampshire, Joselyn (Susan) from Shelburne, New Hampshire, his three sisters Madeleine Murphy (late Thomas) from Leesburg, Florida, Carol Roy (John) from Colchester, Connecticut, and Claire Stiles (Steve) from Leesburg, Florida.
I would like to express very special thanks to Dr. Rénald Wilson, Dr. R & N Mémiche, Dre. Eve St. Hilaire, Dre. Marie-Soleil Lamarre, for their passionate and excellent care given to John, the team at the Oncology Department at the Bathurst and Caraquet Hospital who were dedicated to his care, the Extra Mural program nurses, Solange and Angela, as well as everyone encountered at the Chaleur Regional Hospital who showed such compassion with John’s care. I will forever be thankful for the spiritual support we received from Mgr. Jodoin, Father Keith, Father Anthony, Father Croteau and Father Wade.
John lived a fulfilled life! He first moved to Canada in 1966 to open the Caribou Mines. He returned to the USA when the Caribou closed then returned for the re-opening of the Caribou Mines. In 1974, John worked for Hicks Construction Ltd. until the closing of the company in 1981. He worked at Brunswick Mines for a short period of time, and then in 1983 went on to work for Ideal Drilling (1980) Ltd. (now known as Major Drilling) until 1999. Finally, in 1999 John became a very prominent business entrepreneur with the establishment of his own company, Discovery Drill Manufacturer (DDM) Ltd., a manufacturing company of the most efficient Hydraulic Diamond Drill in the industry. He built a successful company known all over the world for its efficiency, performance, innovation, productivity, and, most importantly, the after-sales service support. He created incredible relationships that lasted a lifetime. John took every opportunity he had to be with his family and friends, enjoyed family gatherings and vacations. He loved adventures and travels, and we traveled the world together. For those of you who knew John on a more personal basis, you can attest that when he engaged in a project, he surely saw it through. With his large heart, he was always ready to help anyone in need. With this said, John was profoundly engaged with the Holy Family congregation. He leaves behind beautiful signs in front of the church that will bring his memory to mind and had recently planted a “Tree of Life” at the church. He was always looking for cost reducing measures for the church. His recent incomplete project, which he took to heart, was to have ceiling fans installed at the church to reduce heating cost. Therefore, I will take it upon myself to make his project become a reality! I have received numerous calls from work colleagues, friends, and family asking where they can donate in John’s memory. I would be most grateful if all donations would be made to Holy Family Parish indicating on the cheque “Ceiling Fan Fund Donation,” and sent to Darlene Labonville, 2335 Sunset Drive, Bathurst, NB E2A 7K7. If any funds are left over, they will be turned over to the Holy Family Church for the “Heat Pump Fund.”
The family will receive relatives and friends at Elhatton’s Funeral Home on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm. The funeral service will be celebrated Friday, August 11, 2023 at 4 pm at the Holy Family Church, 430 St. Peter Avenue, Bathurst, NB. A reception will follow in the church basement. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home, Bathurst, NB (www.elhatton.com).
