Grafton – Leo R. “Rab” Laflamme Sr., 71, passed away at home Tuesday, May 12, 2015 after an illness.
He leaves his loving wife of 25 years, Barbara (Riley) Laflamme; four loving children, Leo Jr. and his wife Karen, Mike and his companion Carlene Froment Magri of Grafton, Jaime of Millbury, and Brian and his wife Lee of Sterling; his two stepchildren, Christopher Underwood and wife Victoria and Karen Underwood and her companion Chris Cadrin; and five grandchildren, Malory, Adrick, Kendall and Brayden Laflamme, and Phoenix Rano. He was predeceased by his grandson, Ashton Laflamme. He leaves one brother, Richard “Hawk” Laflamme of Northbridge, and a sister, Mary Jane Laplume of Leominster. He was also predeceased by his brother, Jean Paul “Puppet” Laflamme, sister-in-law Judy (Johnston) Laflamme, and brother-in-law Francis Laplume.
Rab was born Oct. 4, 1943 in Worcester, son of the late Leo L. and Edna (Sweet) Laflamme. He was born and raised on Adams Road in Grafton, where he lived out the rest of his life. He attended Grafton schools and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a welder (ship fitter) on the U.S.S. Wasp.
Rab was a lifelong employee of UPS as a diesel mechanic, having learned the trade from his father.
He loved to be with his family, especially working together on his Mountain Ash farm or in his garage. Upon his retirement from UPS, he worked seven days a week in his garage repairing anything and everything for lucky recipients who needed his help.
Rab lived a very honorable life and had immense pride in his work and family; he was a master mechanic, fabricator, welder and all around master craftsman to whatever he put his hands to. His heart was as strong as his vise-grip handshake. He instilled his fierce work ethic into his children, and was always heard telling them, “Do it right or don’t do it at all.” He lived to help people in any way he could and would offer a cold Budweiser to all who entered his garage.
He loved his third generation Mountain Ash Farm and Garage his entire life, enjoying his collection of tractors, farm equipment and all the hard work that went with them.
If Rab wasn’t your family, he was your friend who lit up a room with his unforgettable smile.
In lieu of flowers, please “pay it forward” as Rab would by doing a kind deed or helping someone else out in honor of this wonderful generous man. Funeral services and burial will be private for family only.
Please visit his online guestbook at www.roneyfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Rab or leave message of sympathy for his family.
