Daniel Joseph LaPointe
Daniel Joseph LaPointe passed away on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the age of 68. He was born March 13, 1944 to Francis Peter LaPointe and Mary Tracy McAtee LaPointe in Missoula, MT. His childhood was spent enjoying the outdoors around Plains. He attended grade school in Plains and graduated from Plains High School.
He worked at a number of jobs during his life, but was always interested in mechanics and tinkering with electronics. During his late teens, he worked for the Forest Service as lookout staff on Pat’s Knob during the summer, a job he really enjoyed.
In 1964, he married Pauline Friesz at St. James Catholic Church in Plains. They had two sons David James and Kevin Daniel. They later divorced. He became a father again later in life to Daniel with whom he enjoyed a close relationship. Although he was a quiet man and did not talk much, he was very proud of his sons’ accomplishments
His father, Francis Peter LaPointe; his son, Kevin Daniel; his grandparents, Frederick and Ella LaPointe and Conway and Lynn McAtee; and his stepfather Maurice Lappe preceded Dan in death
He is survived by his sons, David (Tammy) and children Colton and Hunter of Great Falls and Phoenix, AZ; and Daniel of Plains and Deer Lodge, MT. Also surviving him is his mother, Mary LaPointe Lappe, Lolo; He is survived by brothers: Francis Peter LaPointe of Plains and Michael Conway (Gayle) LaPointe of Boulder, CO. Sisters: Mary Ellen (Thomas) Crnich of Anaconda, Bernadette (Duane) Roy of Lolo, Nora Lynn Morris of Missoula, Elaine LaPointe-Vetter of Lolo and Therese’ (Joseph) Baldwin of Fort Collins, CO; Uncle Lynn (Ann) McAtee, Plains. He is survived by his former wife Pauline LaPointe; and also his close friend Nysla Noll. Nieces and nephews also survive him: Lynn Marie, Debra, Kurt, Katie, Tracy, Jennifer, Michael Sean, PJ, Devin, Melanie, Rachel, Bridget, Erin, Sarah, Anthony, Jonathan, Benjamin, Michael, and Elizabeth.
His funeral service will be celebrated on February 2, 2013 at St. James Catholic Church at 11am. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be interred later at his son Kevin’s gravesite.
“Life is fragile and temporary. The faces of today quickly become the faces of the past. Sorrow, pain, and anger... it all fades- except love. Love is forever and thereafter, even when we’ve fallen to our graves.” Lee Argus