Reunion
2000 (Pointe-aux-Trembles)
The
reunion of May 2000 was remarkable by its originality.
Mother nature was indeed cooperating because the temperature
for Saturday was ideal: exactly what we ordered in order
to fully appreciate an open air dinner (for those of
us who wanted it) and mainly to allow us all to look
over the St-Lawrence and catch the arrival of the patriot
Pierre Lavoie, personified by M. Camil Lavoie. We learned
that Pierre Lavoie had been exiled in Australia, in
1839. And at the dock, M. Raymond Lamoureux gave the
last speech pronounced by the Chevalier de Lorimier
who was hanged for treason during those troublous times.
That speech was fraught with a lot of emotion. M. Raymond
Lamoureux showed us his remarkable talents as a speaker.
The
conference by Mme Micheline Lavoie, gave us a lot of
information concerning the ancestor Pierre DeLavoye
and that of M. Marcel Tessier was of the most interesting
and both were greatly appreciated by all.
We
also had the opportunity to tour the city and visit
the Beaudry house aboard antique cars, and convertible
to boot.
For
supper, we had a superb Chinese buffet, and to top it
all off, a bit of music with Mme Micheline Lemay and
a dance allowing us to get to know each other a bit
more before we went our separate ways. If you missed
this reunion, make sure not to miss next year's.
Thanks
to the organizing committee: Cyrill Lavoie #287, Conrad
Lavoie #196, Françoise Blanchette #289, Fernand
Lavoie #224, Claude Lavoie #251 and Gilles Lavoie #247.
A
big thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors, to
our speakers Micheline Lavoie and Marcel Tessier. Thank
you to our honorary chairman the honorable Jean-Noel
Lavoie, ex-president of the national assembly.
Claude
Lavoie #251
Reunion
2001 (Levis)
A
remembrance of the warm welcome from the organizing committee,
that is Jean-Louis Lavoie (40), Raymond-Marie Lavoie (151),
Andrée Lavoie (234) and André Lavoie (213);
with the help of Martin Lavoie and Claudette Couture-Lavoie.
THANK YOU to all of these people who gave themselves heart
and soul in order to offer us a Reunion worthy of a Lavoie!
In
my souvenirs, we hear the happy chatter of conversations
which livened up the morning. Conversations of Lavoie's
meeting again, or of new kin discovered, finally interrupted
by the Annual General Assembly. This important get together
for the Association was conducted in a simple and very
clear exchange of information. A special tribute was given
to Mme Jocelyne Lavoie (1), founding president of the
Association, in recognition of her extensive dedication
of the past few years. A humorous moment with M. Gilbert
Lavoie (394), who, even after a full career, lived his
first experience as election president. Following the
General Assembly, M. Genest, conference invitee, made
us discover Levis, a city which opened its arms to us.
Following
an excellent cold buffet, we boarded the bus which brought
us from one historic site to another, covering the four
corners of Levis. Many will remember this informative
and instructive reunion where each Lavoie was able to
discover and fraternize within its own group. Sites such
as the Desjardins Home, Fort Lauzon No. 1, Church of St-Joseph
de Lauzon, to name but a few, filled us with their richness
and diversity.
Let's
not forget our visitors from afar; M. Gordon Lavoie (201)
from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, accompanied
by his father Armand and his son Julien, M. Paul-Antoine
Lavoie (366) from Orleans, Ontario, M. David Lavoie (141)
from St-Saugus, MA (USA) and Mme Rita Lavoie (402) of
Ottawa, Ontario,
accompanied by her sister and her daughter. A big thank
you to all those outside Quebec Lavoie's who traveled
great distances in order to meet and exchange information
with other Lavoie's! It was a pleasure having you with
us!
Of
course the Reunion wouldn't have been complete without
a mass celebration, carried out by our very own chaplain
M. Laval Lavoie (10). Accompanying the harmonious sounds
of violinist Danielle Lavoie, were collaborators Lise
Lafleur, Monique Lavoie, Marcelle Lavoie, Marguerite Lavoie,
Ghislain Lavoie, Gordon Lavoie, Claude Lavoie, Conrad
and Jeanne Lavoie, Rodrigue and Alice Lavoie, Martin Lavoie.
Thank you all for your involvement in preparing this moment
of reflection and the communion with all the Lavoie's
present.
A dinner enjoyed in good company, with the humor of M.
Jean Garon, mayor of Levis, and M. Gilbert Lavoie, honorary
chairman of this Reunion, allowed each and everyone of
us to continue our discussions started during the course
of the day.
We talked about the golf tournament that we had the day
before….. and discovered that we don't have a "Tiger
Woods Lavoie" yet amongst us!
During
the evening, music and dance mingled with animated conversations.
Mme Rita Lavoie (402) of Ottawa, won the 50-50 draw.
The entire day was enlivened by the "master's own
hand", or should we say, the "master's own voice",
of M. Ghislain Lavoie (15) who acted as master of ceremony!
What
wonderful souvenirs, contacts and exchanges, have the
Lavoie's brought back to their corner of the world!
Will
you be there in Sherbrooke 2002?
Micheline
Lavoie Dussault (343)
SHERBROOKE
2002 : Resounding Success !
On
the 10th of August last was held the Annual Reunion of
the Lavoie Family Association of America. This year the
Lavoie's visited the beautiful region of Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Of note: a solid family nucleus was at the heart of organizing
committee! Activities, of a great variety, were spread
out during a day and a half.
On
Saturday morning, following a warm reception by the organizing
committee, the Lavoie's took advantage of this occasion
to mingle, exchange information, and make new discoveries.
Paul-Antoine (366) and Annie (171), two excellent genealogists,
equipped with their laptop, were available to answer questions
regarding your genealogy. Also on display was a large
collection of old family photos representing many generations
of Lavoie's. Available to everyone were the numerous documents
and photos accumulated by the Association during the past
years.
However,
it was necessary to interrupt all of these wonderful meetings,
in order to proceed with the Annual General Assembly.
This reunion, chaired by the president, Michel (161),
was rich in all sorts of information with the participation
of all the members of the executive committee. We received
a very positive financial report, a description of the
projects under way, the many projects under review, and
other interesting points of interests: the overall proceedings
of the assembly clearly showed how vibrant and healthy
the Association was.
A luncheon including a vast array of dishes, hot and cold,
restored everyone's energies in preparation for our departure
to discover Sherbrooke. In the afternoon, two short conferences:
Jocelyne (1) entertained us with "Fishing for Porpoise
in Riviere Ouelle with ancestor Jean De La Voye",
followed by Gerard (461) who shared with us his newly
discovered information concerning Rene De La Voye.
Then, everyone dispersed to visit different sites in Sherbrooke,
such as the museum, the mural, horticultural gardens,
etc…. visits which filled the conversations during
the return trip. Everyone had lots to say about what marvelous
things they say during the afternoon. A fabulous dinner
awaited all the Lavoie's while they discussed enthusiastically
all of the day's activities….which wasn't done yet….the
organizing committee had a few more surprises to show
us!!!
A
small choir, that started very timidly, finished by getting
everyone involved in its repertory of songs from yesteryear.
They had a wonderful harmony, very enjoyable to listen
to! Bravo to the choir members who brought back such sweet
memories! A few volunteers astonished us with their very
own play, of their own composition, text and costumes,
that had as a theme, researching our ancestor Rene De
La Voye. Nice job! The 50-50 draw was won by a new member,
Jeanne. The city of Sherbrooke was gracious enough to
offer us some promotional gifts which made some people
very happy during the draw. Songs and music were on the
evening's program, laughter and a good time were of the
order between dances or conversations.
On
Sunday morning, those who wished to do so, had the opportunity
to admire the marvelous and imposing building which is
the Sherbrooke Cathedral. Thanks to the warm welcome of
father Pascal Ducharme, Laval Lavoie (10), our very own
chaplain (never leave home without him), celebrated mass
for all the Lavoie's in attendance. Following this hour
of reflection in this magnificent cathedral, we all met
and shared a big brunch amidst much joy and gaiety.
During
the course of this Reunion, new promotional objects were
put on sale for the first time: a wonderful plastic place-mat,
whose idea was conceived by the organizing committee of
Sherbrooke, pens, cups and book-marks with the Association
logo.
Jacques
Lavoie, the honorary chairman and celebrated radio host,
did a wonderful job in promoting the Association. He and
his wife Laurence Lavoie involved themselves with enthusiasm.
We
have to praise the work done by the people of Manoir Sherbrooke
who participated in different tasks such as in preparing
the invitations. Bravo and we thank all these people.
Finally,
the Lavoie Family Association wishes to sincerely thank
the entire crew:
Madeleine, Monique, Renée, Gilles, Hubert, Jacques,
Laurence, Nicole and Margot. For their wonderful creativity,
their devotion, and their deep involvement, all of these
Lavoie's have made Sherbrooke 2002 a success! Quality
and diversity had a place of honor! You found that the
Lavoie's are a resourceful lot and that they know how
to organize and use these resources for the benefit of
all!
It
is with nostalgia that we close the souvenir book for
Sherbrooke 2002!
Micheline
Lavoie Dussault (343)
