76, of East Margaree, Nova Scotia, passed away suddenly on December 26, 2019.
Claude was born on August 18, 1943 at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia to Paul and Antoinette (Aucoin) LeFort. As the eldest in his family, he went to work at an early age to help his mother and father provide for the family. Claude was married to Josephine (LeBlanc) on July 18,1964. They were living in Toronto at this time and Claude worked at the Goodyear Tire factory. Cyril and Michelle were born during Claude and Josephine’s time in Toronto. However, Cape Breton Island called them home and they returned in 1970. They returned first to Cheticamp, where Leroy was born and then finally settled in East Margaree. Claude and Josephine were married 53 years until Josephine’s sudden death on March 20, 2017.
After relocating to Cape Breton, Claude worked in the forestry industry cutting pulp, running machinery and driving a truck for Joseph A. LeBlanc Ltd. and John E. MacLean Enterprises. In the late 90’s he worked for a short time in Northern Alberta. Claude was an avid card player and loved attending local card plays. He also loved to fish and was known by all the fly fisherman on the Margaree River. He was a lifetime Honorary Kinsmen, being one of the founding members of the Margaree Kinsmen Club. Most of all he was very proud of his family especially his grandchildren. They will all miss his phone calls, card games and trips to the restaurant for fish and chips.
Claude is survived by his three children Cyril (Terri), Michelle Arsenault (Earl), Leroy (Wanda); grandchildren Kayla (Mike Kofahl), Bethany Chiasson (Justin), Kegan Arsenault (Kelsey), Jillian Arsenault, Hailee (Ward MacDonald) and Darcie; great grandchild Camryn (Kegan and Kelsey); brother Paul (Emma); sisters Stella Klingemann (Klaus), Dora Maillet (Robert), Ginette (Doris), Therese, Yvonne LeFort-Goosens (Peter) and other extended family and friends.
Claude is preceded in death by his wife Josephine and brothers Russell, Armand and Cyrille.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30th, 2019 from 7 to 9pm, at St. Michael’s Parish Hall. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 at 11:00 am, at St. Michael’s Church, East Margaree, Nova Scotia. Fr. Bedford Doucette will be officiating along with Fr. Macdonald Ibeh. Interment of ashes will follow the funeral at St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Pepere, we will carry you with us till we see you again.
Condolences
Though having lived most of my adult life away from home (Cheticamp) Claude was never forgotten. When I was younger his visits to our house in Plateau to visit my dad were always filled with good humour and laughter. His larger than life stature influenced me quite a bit growing up as I spent many Sundays at Point Cross with my cousin Cyril. We have lost a good friend.
So sory to hear of your loss Lee Roy and Wanda, Michelle and family our deepest condolences.
Our deepest sympathies to you all …. Claude will be missed by many .. fly high with the angels RIP Claude hugs to you all
I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to Cyril, Michelle and LeRoy and family. May you find peace in your hearts and carry happy loving thoughts of Claude . May he be at peace.
We would like send our deepest condolences to the family. May he rest in peace
Leroy, Michelle & Cyril,
So sad for your loss. Lots of great memories with your Dad stopping over to Emile’s to chat when we were down visiting…just recently this Summer, we had some good laughs.
Always a an engaging fellow who enjoyed life to the fullest!
Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Rob & Lisa
Moncton NB
Our Condolences to all of Claude’s family and friends.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
at this sad time.
Charlene & Darwin
Deepest condolences to all family and friends
Helena & Andre (a Placide a William)
Cheticamp
So very sorry for your loss your Dad was a character who will be missed
Les “Maillets” de Clare et Quebec pass on our sincere condolences….. Robert,Jeanne,Marc,Cindy,Jacob & Tina.
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you
Our sincere condolences to the LeFort family
Our sincere sympathies to Claude’s family and friends. Yes life can change on a dime.
Courage for the coming year and God bless you all.
A fellow former Point Cross resident.
My sincere sympathies to you all on your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Claude was a wonderful man. I enjoyed our long conversations every time we happened to bump into eachother at the grocery store or the gas station. He always had something to chat about and a smile to share. I’m sending love to you all.
So sorry for your loss. Our condolences to all of the family in this time if grieve. Hold on to the memories. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prospers are with you Sending big hugs xoxo
Sorry for your loss .deepest condolences to all the family.
Great man. He will be missed !!
Soo very sorry to all the family on Claude’s sudden passing, thinking of you all at this time. Sincerely, bobby and Laura fortune and family.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Carolyn and Howard MacKay
My deepest condolences to all of the family. May you find comfort and strength in one another to help you through this difficult time.
Sincere sympathy to all of Claude’s family!
Ian and Donnetta
So sorry for your loss,our condolences to the family,—keith and adeline marks
My sympathies to the family. Claude was a very nice and friendly man. He was always good for a little chat when he would come into work. May he rest in peace.
Michelle, Leroy and family. I’m sorry to hear of your loss and I’m so sorry that I cannot be there with all of you at this time. Know that I am thinking of you and you are all in my prayers. Judy McIsaac
Very sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace cousin…
Our sincere sympathies to all the Lefort family. Hugs to all.
Michelle,Cyril and LeRoy
So very sorry for your loss off uncle Claude..he will be missed.You have great memories of him .Hugs ❤️
our deepest sympathy to all claude.s family and friends he will be grately missed
To the family,
So sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry to hear about your sudden loss. It is hard to believe how quickly life can change. We are sorry we can not be there but you will be in lor thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all.
Sympathies to all his family. R.I.P. cousin.
Condolence to all Claude’s Family and Friends. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gus Pearson & Marie Chisholm-Pearson
You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gus Pearson & Marie Chisholm-Pearson
Michelle, Cyril, Leroy and families,
There are no words to properly explain the sorrow we feel for your sudden loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jeanne and Kevin
Online condolences are now closed.