Mr. Robert G. "Bobby" Laffin, 73, passed away Friday morning, May 4, 2012 at Cornwall Community Hospital, where he had been a patient for the past six weeks.
Bobby was born February 20, 1939 in Hogansburg, the son of the late George and Louise Papineau Laffin. He attended Mohawk schools and Massena High School. He served in the US Military for six years during the Korean War.
Bobby was an ironworker with Local #440 for many years, working all over New York City, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Toronto building bridges, skyscrapers, and other structural steel buildings. He enjoyed making crafts and was known for his bone necklaces. He also enjoyed talking politics, going to the Longhouse, where he was the Keeper of the Ceremonies.
He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Joyce Leaf and her companion, Jeff Lauzon of Akwesasne; and Charlotte Ann Riley of Morgan City, Louisiana; 6 grandchildren, Chaney, Bobbi Jo, Kaitlyn, Reno, Kelly, and Kristi; and 5 great grandchildren, Thomas, Jocelyn, Aiden, and Maylee.
He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Laffin of Akwesasne, QC and his brother, Sidney and Margaret Laffin of Akwesasne, Ontario; many nieces and nephews; and his step children, Lucy Ann Thompson, Pauline Thompson, Bucky Leaf, Marilyn Francis, Sheila, Pearl, Frank, Kenny, and Brian Leaf.
Bobby was predeceased his companion of 40 years, Agnes Jocko Leaf and his step-children, Josie Back, Mary Bova, Francis, Franklin, and George Leaf.
Friends may call beginning 2:00 PM Monday at the Kanienkehawa Kanonsesne Longhouse, where funeral services will be held Wednesday 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Service.
Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com.
