Godfrey F. Laplante

My life began in 1916 in Rainier Ore., born to Fred and Emelene. The only child, my family doted on me and I enjoyed a life of music, sports, and school. In 1934 I graduated from Rainier Union High with a passion for singing. After graduation, I worked as a singing waiter in Portland night clubs and seasonal work as a guide at The Oregon Caves, I also had a brief engagement. In 1939-40 I attended Willamette University and continued singing. I moved to Chicago, worked at Marshall Fields, was a paid soloist in churches and finally sang at the Apollo Club! In 1941, I was accepted to sing with the Chicago Conservatory and the composer Rachmaninoff but the next day I was drafted into the Army and was sent to basic training. Six months later my best friend Norman was killed in Pearl Harbor while aboard the Oklahoma. After serving four years in the South Pacific, I was honorably discharged and returned to Chicago and Roosevelt College. In 1945, I moved to Astoria where my mother and stepfather owned and operated The Liberty Bar & Grill. I worked there and managed the American Legion. I fell in love and married Violet Hendrickson and adopted her young daughter Susan. Our family grew with the addition of Steve, Dennis, and Mary and we moved to a big house in Alderbrook to accommodate us all. I enjoyed bowling, fishing, golf, and singing in churches, weddings and barber shop quartet, but always continued to be a devoted family man. I worked at the Lower Columbia Co-op until retiring after 25 years. In 1970, I lost my wife Violet to cancer and five years later, I married Ann Gette Adams to whom I had been engaged 40 years earlier. We enjoyed 36 years of marriage until her death in June 2011. I moved back to Astoria in October 2011 to be near my family and passed on after failing health on January 6, 2012. In 2000, my son Steve preceded me in death. Now, I leave my loved ones, Susan, Dennis, Mary, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, my stepchildren and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There will be a celebration of my life in June. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. www.caldwellsmortuary.com