Laurie Eaton Joseph MacIsaac

March 7, 1935 - August 31, 2021
RCMP Insp., (Ret'd), #18263 / O.1084 ~
On August 31, 2021 in Abbotsford BC my Dad joined my Mum to continue their adventure.
Born March 7,1935 at Truro, Nova Scotia, to Sarah MacNeil of Giants Lake and John Anthony MacIsaac of Truro. Laurie is the second eldest of 6 children.
Survived by his brother Colin (Helen) of Calgary, Anne Rosgen of Calgary and Sarah Dorothy (Steve Ross) of Cochrane Alberta, and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and abroad.
He is predeceased by his younger brother Jack of Calgary and sister Mary Janet (Mario Munari) of Rome Italy.
Laurie enjoyed a distinguished career in Federal Government service, from which he retired in 1988. Joining the RCMP in 1953, his first assignment following graduation from the RCMP academy in Regina, was St. John's Nfld. (This was the first and only place my dad used his gun, and it was to assist in the humane demise of a farmer's horse). Here is where he would meet his life-long friend and colleague Bob Paradis (Judy).
It was in 1960 in Toronto that he entered the Security Intelligence Directorate of the Force. This is also where he met and fell for Maureen Hare, an amazing independent woman from the UK, and subsequently married in 1965.
In 1966 they welcomed their daughter, Sarah Liza, who completed their family. From 1974-1979 the family moved to the UK and Laurie assumed the role of attaché at the Canadian HIgh Commission in London, within the RCMP Liaison office. Mo was in her element as a diplomat's wife and hostess, and enjoyed being close to her sister, Joan (Keith) and their children.
Once the tour finished they returned to Canada and settled in Ottawa. With the creation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in 1984, Laurie briefly served as Deputy Director General, Counter Intelligence, before his appointment to the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC as the Senior Liaison Officer for CSIS. Mo and Laurie maintained relationships with lots of wonderful people throughout their travels.
When they retired in 1988 he and Mo moved to the west coast and opened up The Warren, a Bed & Breakfast in White Rock BC. This also allowed Laurie to enjoy a lifelong ambition to study and make art. He had studied life drawing in the 1960's in Toronto at the Artists Workshop and with Tom Lapierre at the Ontario College of Art. Every Thursday he could be found hosting or attending the "Larger than Life '' artists group. Murals around the lower mainland still have my Dad's autograph on them.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Community Arts Council of White Rock, was a member of the RCMP veterans Association, The Pillar Society and the Royal Canadian Legion (BR#8) and for many years served as a director on the Board of the LIberal Party of Canada (White Rock and Surrey).
In 2009 Sarah moved out to BC so her daughter, Ceilidh could spend as much time enjoying her grandparents as possible. Papa loved sharing his love of art with his granddaughter and often contributed art to Ceilidh's school productions. He loved listening to Ceilidh's stories and participated in imaginative adventures with her. I think we can all agree - My Dad loved a Party.... he and my Mum hosted an annual Christmas open house and a great Canada Day party for years.
Laurie enjoyed Saturday afternoon beers at the Pub with his old cronies. My dad was known for being a great listener but also a great story teller. He loved to share his art with everyone and birthdays and anniversaries gave him an opportunity to give a home made card. The last one I received was adorned with sparkly glitter glue...
For the last 10 years of my dad's life he lived it as fully as he could while living with Alzheimers. He eventually moved into and died at the Oxford Care Facility. He loved the staff and they loved him dearly. They appreciated his gentle kisses on the hand and his love of music. HIs room was adorned with his art, the art of all his friends and his collection of indigenous art. He died peacefully there in his room in the early morning.
Because of Covid we have been unable to have a party which is what my dad wanted, however I can wait no longer and will be hosting a celebration of life VIA zoom on the first day of spring March 20, 2022 @1pm PST . Please reach out for more information and a link to the event.