Robert Roy LaPerre

Robert Roy LaPerre, 88, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014, at his home in Greenwood Township with his family at his side. Bob was born on April 9, 1926, to George and Elisa LaPerre in Detroit, Michigan. On July 17, 1948, he married the love of his life, Iva Clarine McComas and they were together for 62 years before her passing in December of 2010. Bob was a World War II veteran, having served his country in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater, and was a lifetime member of Bruce VFW Post #1146 in S.C.S. While living in Detroit, and then St. Clair Shores, Bob owned and operated “LaPerre TV”. After selling the business to his son in 1972, Bob, Clarine, and their family moved to their farm in Greenwood Township. He enjoyed taking care of his farm and being a good steward of the land. Bob was very active in the Knights of Columbus in Yale, working on many projects including his favorite, their annual Christmas tree sale. He was a parishioner of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yale and was a recipient of the Right to Life “Faithful For Life” award in 2006. Bob loved to travel with his wife, Clarine, and together they visited 49 of the 50 states. They also spent the winter in Florida together for 30 years. Bob is survived by two sons, Arthur (Brenda) LaPerre of Durham, N.C. and Thomas (Diane) LaPerre of Yale; three daughters, Patricia Crowley of Emmett, Linda Burghardt of St. Clair Shores and Mary (James) Brown of Yale; 22 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Abigail, Kathi, Matthew, Gina, Valerie, Joseph, Corey, Teddy, Alex, and Nelson LaPerre, and Traci (Rich) Gerrow, Thomas LaPerre, Michelle LaPerre, Cathy (Jason) Garcia, Meghan Crowley, Bob Burghardt, Brian Burghardt, Rebecca Hopkins, Melissa (Bill) Hughes, RJ (Jenny) LaMay and Christine (Pete) Wenninger; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Connie McComas, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Tomeo; three grandchildren, Kenny, Debbie, and Andrea LaPerre; son-in-law, Robert Burghardt; daughter-in-law, Sandra LaPerre; son-in-law, Bill Crowley; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Eleanor LaPerre; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Delores McComas; and brother-in-law, Ronald McComas. The family honors the memory of Bob and invites you to visit and share memories Tuesday, May 27th, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Knights of Columbus services at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 28th, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Yale. Rite of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., May 28th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yale. ((Fr. Thomas Kuehnemund)) will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yale. Memorials are suggested to St. Clair County Right To Life or Blue Water Hospice.

Robert Roy LaPerre

April 9, 1926 - May 23, 2014