Dad – Kenneth F. LaVoie Jr. 8-19-46 to 1-21-06
Opening by Father Charlie:
My Thoughts
Thank you all for doing what you had to do to be here. Here we go.
I ‘d like to use words to define my father, to paint a clear and beautiful picture of him but I’m afraid there
aren’t any words large enough to capture his mystery and his spirit was far more colorful than any artists
palette could put on canvas.
I think instead that this room is the canvas. Or at least one of them. All of you are chapters and verse in his
story and brush strokes on the funny, deep, sad and fantastic canvas that was his life. I, hopefully, am his
signature. I know that my Dad died searching for, and finally finding, his place among men. What gives me
comfort is the thought that My Dad’s spirit was just too big and bright to stay here – The only reason he
lasted as long as he did is that God just couldn’t bear to take such color from our lives.
My Father was fun to talk with. Unless of course you made the mistake of holding a different political view,
then you’d wish you’d kept silent.
He was a multi dimensional man. He was a hard, firm father with me when I needed a boot in the rear. He
was a comedian almost ALL of the time, and his Gandhi like spirit was like a warm breeze to everyone.
I had the good fortune of attending a weekend “right of passage” called the Sterling Men’s Weekend in
October of 1999. During that weekend I learned what my job as a son was. To show my father that I would
be “ok” and that his job was done, so that he could let go and prepare to die. I worked very hard over the
next few years to show him just that and I believe he “got it”.
Thank you Dad
For giving me the Rolling Stones – They have been my favorite band since you turned me onto them when I
was 12.
For telling me: “When someone loves you, you have a responsibility to them”. This has given me focus now
that I’ve stopped misinterpreting it.
The magic of Key West and what the city really stood for and came from.
My taste for writing, and reading Ernest Hemingway
My sense of humor. Unfortunately I live in Maine and nobody understands what the heck I’m talking about
half the time, but my wife thinks I’m funny so thanks anyway!
Introducing me to Kevin Fallon, who, when I was a teenager told my Dad that I had a natural gift and not to
let me stop. That one moment is responsible for the fact that I still play today.
For teaching me that it’s ok to be silly just for the sake of being silly. It doesn’t have to mean a thing.
For making me a “LaVoie” and letting me be part of all the great, funny, unique, tragic and beautiful stuff
that goes with it.
For giving us the Giant OOH OOH Bird, the double hog backed growler and the hideous night gaunt
(This isn’t fully organized yet below)
I would like (anyone,) to come up and share a story about Ken
(Time limit??) Reading, story, funny story, closure
Quote to the ladies: “Give us a kiss now, and don’t forget to wiggle your hips when you do!”
I would love us to tell ALL of the funny stories we have but we’d need a second “adults only” ceremony for
that!
My Funny Story: 11 years old – Homosexual Lover, Taxi Driver,
Closing: Play “Go Rest High”
Closing Quote: “Step aside Angels, A Warrior is coming to Join You”
Closing Prayer by Father
Monty Python Theme