Lafrance, Gerald Jeffrey “Jeff”

It is with great sadness that we announce our dearly beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, uncle, cousin, stepfather and friend, Gerald Jeffrey LaFrance, passed away peacefully, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the Siksika Elder’s Lodge on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at the age of 85 years.

Jeffrey was born at the Blackfoot Hospital on February 14, 1937 and raised on the Siksika Nation. After attending the Crowfoot Indian Residential School and Calgary Public schools, he trained as a paratrooper in the American military before returning to Canada where he completed his law degree at Queen’s University in Ontario. He developed his career as a consultant for several organizations in Alberta and British Columbia, including Siksika Calgary Urban Association and Treaty Seven Tribal Council, as well as numerous First Nation and non-First Nation political leaders.

Jeff was a kind, generous, and humble man with a quiet, friendly, and quick-witted humorous nature – a dear friend to many. He was very knowledgeable in the Blackfoot culture and history; his exceptional intelligence and willingness to help kept him active well into his retirement years as a great resource to anyone that needed help. In his leisure time, he enjoyed attending powwows, local community events, reading and watching from his extensive collection of books and DVDs.

Jeffrey will be dearly missed by his only child, daughter Carol Many Heads; grandchildren Andrea, Tom and Tanya (Stewart); his eleven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandsons; two step-children Trevor Honish  and Tammy Doucette; nieces Kathleen Cameron (Robin Johnson), Stella Turning Robe; nephews Gerald Langan (Ruth Cameron), Ian LaFrance, Randy, Frank (Trina) and Wayne (Verona), Wayne Cameron, Jerry Cameron, Brooklyn & Cooper Cameron, Stephanie Langan and Jayden & Chloe Langan; many more nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention; and a large extended family, many of whom are on the Siksika Nation. He, also, leaves to mourn, the residents of the Siksika Elder’s Lodge, with special mentions: Joseph Old Woman, June Duck Chief, Marie Duck Chief, Rulon Sleigh and his “angel nurse” Teigan. Jeffrey was predeceased by his parents, Gerald Turning Robe and Helen Ryan; his brothers Frank Turning Robe Sr. and Robert Turning Robe; sisters Esther and Marilyn Cameron; and nephew Bobbie Turning Robe.

The family extends their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Siksika Elder’s Lodge for their extraordinary care and attention to Jeffrey.

The Wake service will be at the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbour on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so starting at 3:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at Pierson’s Funeral Service (4121 17 Ave SE, Calgary) on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.