QUEENSBURY --- Benoit Frank LaFond, 87, of Queensbury, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, following a long illness.

Ben was born Nov. 4, 1927 in Lester, Quebec, Canada, to Wenceslas and Juliette (Belanger) LaFond, the second eldest of eleven children. The family immigrated to the United States in 1928, settling in Lake George.

Ben was proud to have served his country in World War II as a soldier for the United States Navy. He was equally as proud to receive his High School Diploma from Glens Falls High School in 2014; as he left school at 16 years old to serve his country.

He was a home builder, along with his father and his brothers. Many of the log homes in the area were constructed by the LaFonds.

Ben enjoyed many years fishing and ice fishing on Lake George.

He married Patricia Lough in 1960. She passed away 1979.

Ben Married Fay Rathbun in 1985. They enjoyed many happy years together, traveling and spending time at the casino.

In addition to his wife, Pat, and his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his sisters, Madge Neville and Joan Ide, his brother, Gaston, and his daughter-in-law, Ally LaFond.

Ben is survived by his loving wife, Fay; his sons, Frank (Gloria Bach) , Alec (Linda), and Adam LaFond; as well as his bonus children, James (Linda) Rathbun, Penny (Gabe) Paruolo, and Robert (Colleen) Rathbun; his grandchildren, Jamie (Mark) Stevens, Brian Rathbun, Brittany (Anthony) Blair, Shane LaFond, Alexis Paruolo, Kaitlyn Bishop, and Robert and Ian Rathbun; great-grandchildren, Jesse, Jake, and Jayden Stevens and Amelia Blair; and brothers, Joe, Gene, Paul "Butch"; and sisters, Monica LaFond, Lucille Starke, Margaret Mulcahy, and Fran Hayden. He is also survived by his beloved dog Dora.

Calling hours will take place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, May 18 at the Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804.

A funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Cox officiating.

Interment, with full military honors, will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Lake George.

Following the interment a gathering will take place at the Queensbury V.F.W. Post No. 6169 on 32 Luzerne Rd.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at High Peaks Hospice, with special mention to Stacie and Phil. Everyone there was great, "I can't say enough good about them!"

Per the family's request, donations in Ben's memory may be made to High Peaks Hospice, 79 Glenwood Ave., 2nd Floor, Queensbury, NY 12804.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bakerfuneralhome.com.