Alexander Furlotte of Lorne passed away peacefully at his son's residence in Archibald on Sunday, October 3, 2004, at the age of 103 years and 3 months.

Born in Lorne on July 3, 1901, he was the son of the late Joseph Furlotte and the late Caroline (Hickey) Furlotte. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Alexander's, or "Papa" as he was known to everyone, greatest treasures were his fantastic mind and photographic memory. He took great pleasure in telling stories and remembering names, dates and details accurately. He knew every family in the area and often asked about them. He was especially fond of his mother and spoke lovingly of her every day.

Papa led a very active life and was involved in many types of work from a very early age to his late 90's. He was a woodcutter, farmer, avid gardener, taxi driver (he had the first and for many years the only car in Lorne), merchant, and businessman. He had perfected the art of making maple syrup and sugar. When he could find the time, he loved trout fishing. With a very limited formal education, he was for many years, the "unofficial" village clerk whom everyone trusted with forms, taxes and advice. He had served as returning officer for many elections. Politics was a key interest and he was very proud to have voted in June 2004 election after having closely followed the televised conventions and debates. He was a shrewd card player, avid reader, and mouth organ player, all activities he enjoyed to the very end. His sense of humour and his ability to laugh and sing in spite of great pain demonstrated his always positive and optimistic nature.

Papa will be remembered for his belief in hard work and for his love of the earth. He always marvelled at what the earth could produce. He firmly believed that if one respects the earth, he shall never go hungry. He often repeated that every act of kindness to the earth would be repaid a thousand times.

When asked what he would wish for if he had his life to live over, he answered without hesitation "the chance for an education. Think of what I could have done with more education."

Papa will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 48 years Violet (Carrier), five sons, Alexander Jr., Donald, Justin, Ronald and Valmond, and one daughter, Eileen (Fleury). Also predeceased by three brothers, Alfred, David and Henry, and one sister Loretta (Carrier).

Papa is survived by four sons; Herman of Seagrave, Ont., Louis (Carol Ann) of Archibald, Joe (Darlene) of Lorne and Eldon of Lorne and four daughters; Mathilda Godin of Lorne, Vivianne Keleher of Belledune, Beulah Bratle of Sandefjord, Norway and Valerie Firlotte (Brent) of Dalhousie Junction. Also surviving are 33 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 7, 2004, from St. Maria Goretti Church in Lorne, officiated by Father L. Comeau with burial in the parish cemetery. Honourary pallbearers were six grandchildren, Charlene Mallaley, Levi Fleury, Glen Furlotte, Louise Firlotte, Roselyn Furlotte and Penny Lapointe. Alter servers were great grandchildren Rudi Mallaley and Hali Lapointe. Readings were by Louise Firlotte and Glenn Furlotte. Hymns by the Church Choir and a solo by long time friend Willie Lapointe. Funeral arrangements were placed in the care of MacMillan's Funeral Services, Black Pointe.