Our family wanted to express our gratitude to those who have reached out to us during this difficult time.

My brother was much more than someone who visited for the holidays or special occasions, he was with us throughout our daily lives. Cory, Brittany and Joe knew him as Uncle John but while this was his formal title for them, he was more like an older brother who was always there and always involved in their lives. John and my son Cory were inseparable, like best friends.

John was the light of our house for my children growing up. You’d hear the door shut and a loud, “Hi Mick. I’m here.” And there was always some banter and sarcasm that followed that. We always loved to pick and prod at one another. It was our way of expressing love and we shared that all our lives together. But for John and I, we had a special bond and closeness between siblings that can only be felt to explain.

As we say goodbye, we know you’ll always be with us. My kids were your kids and you belonged to us, as us to you. With your sense of loyalty and love for family, I know we wouldn’t be the people we are today without you. You loved so very deeply and to see you go, a loss such as this is difficult to fathom.

Being left with so much sorrow and with the unexpected loss of John there comes the financial aspect of laying him to rest.

With a heavy heart we are asking for donations to offset funeral expenses so we can begin our grieving process as a family.

Thank you all in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Respectfully,

Michelle Labbe & family