North Bay lawyer Geoff Laplante is being memorialized by family and friends in a unique way.
In lieu of flowers, and on behalf of the Laplante family, a GoFundFe page has been set up by "Geoff's Paddling Friends" to raise money that will go towards supporting Indigenous youth in the North Bay community to participate in paddling programs at the local canoe club and support female participation in North Bay’s youth football league — two initiatives Geoff was passionate about.
As of Thursday morning, well-wishers had raised nearly $7,000, surpassing the initial goal of $5,000.
Laplante gave his time and resources generously to support those who needed assistance, in both the legal and sporting realms.
He loved football — Laplante played at the university level for Waterloo and Queen's — and excelled as a paddler with the North Bay Canoe Club. His three daughters excelled in similar athletic pursuits, always with their father serving as their biggest supporter.
Geoff Laplante died July 8, aged 56.
See the full obituary here.
