Lawrence Edward Aubin
February 14, 1936 - May 25, 2009
At the Carman Hospital, Lawrence Edward Aubin age 73 passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord. Leaving behind to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Marilyn and their five children: Gerry Aubin (Gail), Marnie Fry (Dale), Rick Aubin (Trish), Sheri Johnston (Jamie) and Brandi Dyck (Mike). Lawrence and Marilyn’s grandchildren: Jesse Fry & Riana Fry, Jared, Garth & Erik Aubin, Bailie Park-Payne, Ryley White, Kieran and Tyler Johnston, Lukas and Kayla Dyck.
Lawrence was the only child of Angela (Rasey) and Gerald Aubin. He attended school in Carman until grade ten then went to St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg. After grade eleven in Carman, Lawrence spent a year at Regina Campion College. Lawrence completed a three year program at the Niagara School of Horticulture from 1956-9. During this time, his father Gerald was killed in a car accident. Lawrence and his mother ran Aubin Nurseries from an apartment in Niagara Falls over the winter of 1958-9. They then returned home where Lawrence took over the nursery business. It was a tough time but they persevered to keep his father’s business running. Aubin Nurseries was started in 1927 and has grown to be a well-known horticultural name thanks to Gerald, Lawrence and now son Gerry. Lawrence has been very proud of his family continuing to have this business and he was hopeful that the fourth generation take it over. Marilyn and Lawrence lived at the nursery until 1992 when they built a new home in town. Lawrence was extremely active in the landscaping and nursery trades associations provincially and nationally; he was president twice of the Manitoba Landscaping Association, spent three years as president of the Canadian Nursery Growers Association and chaired two national conventions in Winnipeg. Recently he received a life membership from Manitoba Landscape and Nursery Association.
The community of Carman was very important to Lawrence. He served as President of the Carman Golf Club from 1972-80 and upon his retirement returned to the executive for three years (2007-9). He was involved with the Kinsmen Club where he was treasurer as well as Grand Knight (three years), Knights of Columbus at his parish church and also president of the Chamber of Commerce in the 1990s. Lawrence felt very humbled to be recognized twice by the Province of Manitoba for his dedication to community. The greatest joy of Lawrence’s life is his wife of 28 years, Marilyn. He saw her as a devoted companion who was extremely easy to get along with. She was his real source of strength and their 25th anniversary was a great celebration of joy amongst family and friends. Lawrence’s three children (from his first marriage to Eileen) live within one mile of each other on Aubin farmland, a fact that he found amazing. He was very proud of his son Gerry’s hard work at the Nursery, Rick’s landscaping business and Marnie’s dedication in the health care field. He was very grateful to daughter Marnie for using her care giving skills as he battled cancer in the last year and she took so much time to make him comfortable. Sheri was able to help dad with appointments and doctor visits over the last five years and Brandi’s dedication and strong presence has been great comfort to Lawrence and Marilyn as well. He was very proud of all their five children and eleven grandchildren and he always remarked that for an only child he "sure had a huge and wonderful family". His greatest inspiration came from his faith in God. He did not miss Mass and would find a church no matter where he was travelling on a Sunday. He was grateful to God for his blessings and always reminded us to be thankful. "Nothing is possible without God". He served as a Parish Council member at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was instrumental in building the present church in 1964. When Lawrence walked into a room, it lit up with laughter and joy. Lawrence has valued the rapport with friends, especially Kenny and Lorraine Takvam who have been very influential in his life and cousin Dave Smith and wife Gina. People seem to gravitate to Lawrence and Marilyn’s whether it be camping in the early years at Delta Beach, living in Carman or wintering in El Centro, California or on a golf course. The friends they have met over the years have been invaluable especially those in Carman and El Centro.
Thank you to Carman Hospital, Carman Home Care, and Carman Palliative Care nurses and a special thanks to Dr. Kruk and Dr. Woelk. Thank you to our friends, Parish members and pastors for prayers and guidance. Prayers will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Carman, Wednesday, May 27, at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Friends Community Church, in Carman on Thursday, May 28, at 2:00 pm with Father James Gray and Father Casimir Socha officiating. Private family burial will take place following the funeral. Following the service all are warmly invited for refreshments and memories at the Carman Legion Auxiliary Hall in Carman. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to the Carman Palliative Care, Box 610, Carman, MB, R0G 0J0.
Doyle’s Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
