Obituary of Drummond LaBarge

Drummond LaBarge, 97, passed away peacefully at home in the loving care of his children. Born on August 20, 1922, son of Addie and Charlie LaBarge. He was predeceased by his sisters; May, at 2 years old from diphtheria, Veronica Barrett, Beatrice Corneau; brothers, Clarence and Edgar. Calling hours will be at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home at 11:00AM on Tuesday, August 11, 20202. A funeral will be held at 12:00PM at Frary-Stuart Funeral Home with the burial in Holy Name Cemetery to follow. After graduating from high school, he worked for a prominent family at Big Wolf for a brief time until he was drafted into the US Army in 1941 and stationed in Papua New Guinea. He moved up very quickly to Staff Sgt, running a Stevedore unit which included several life-long Tupper Lake friends and Aussies. Drummond was one of three sharp shooters, all of them from Tupper Lake and they remained friends for many years. He was in New Guinea until the war ended. Drummond returned from the war and married Simone LaFrance. Together they had six children, Stephen, Richard, Rhea, Dorie, Ellen and Shaun. Drummond was a talented athlete. Before the war, he was a side-arm pitcher for the semi-pro Carborundum Factory team in Niagara Falls’ industrial league until he was sidelined by an injury. Dad held down many jobs including logging camps, Benson mines in Newtown Falls and finally retired as a chef for Sunmount after 30 years. He was a fierce competitor his entire life and took on anybody in horseshoes, shuffle board or darts. Dad was a jack-of-all-trades and could build anything. We often called him an engineer without the degree. Dad loved being home at the lake which he called his paradise. He loved his outdoor kitchen he built and loved cooking clams, his world-famous chicken, and many fish fries for his family and friends. He also loved going to hunting camp with his son Rick. Donations in Drummond’s memory can be made out to VFW, 1849 NY-3, Tupper Lake, NY 12986 or Life Flight, PO Box 994 Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Online condolences can be made at www.fraryfuneralhomes.com.