ROBERT JOSEPH LAGACÉ

“If I should die, think only this of me:

That there’s a road beyond this world where I

May ride forever - Healthy, whole and free.”

After a difficult battle with cancer, Robert Lagacé, a cherished son, brother, uncle and friend, left us on February 17th, 2025. Born on April 22, 1966 in LaSalle, MB, Robert lived a life filled with passion, curiosity and respect for others. 

Predeceased by his father Adélard and brother-in-law Tom, he leaves a large hole in the hearts of his mother, Rose, and four sisters, Nicole (Bob) Langdon, Roseline Peleshaty, Doris (Pierre) Campeau, and Paulette Kyryluk. He spoke with so much pride of all of his nieces, nephews, and their partners, as well as his great-nieces and nephews. He had a calm and quiet demeanour until he spoke of his favourite subjects; family, cars, or bikes. 

As a child, he spent summers camping with his family in a tent trailer travelling across the country. He learned patience as he sat between his sisters in the back seat for hours on end as they travelled to the East Coast, the Rockies, and local campgrounds. As a young man, he found pleasure in dismantling and rebuilding his bikes. His interest in improving his bicycles with better parts gained momentum as he began to enter races with either a mountain bike or road bike in his twenties. He also enjoyed rebuilding the motor of his first car, a light blue VW Beetle, more than once, right on the family’s driveway in St. Vital. 

His keen interest in taking things apart led him to a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the UofM. He began his career as a supervisor of locomotive maintenance at CP Rail for GM Motors (locomotive). After a few years, he transferred to the GM plant (automotive) in Oshawa, ON where he worked as a development and emissions engineer. Missing home, he moved back to Winnipeg in 2008 to work at TransCanada Calibrations as a project engineer for his longtime friend Garnet, where he remained until his passing. 

He travelled all over the world through work and pleasure, testing new car parts, visiting his favourite car factories, watching bike races, and riding bike trails, often flying his bike with him to ensure a great ride wherever he went. He researched the intricacies of cycling athletes and he comically compared his own recent blood transfusions to cyclists that enhanced their chances with their own blood transfusions before each race. 

A resident of River Heights for all of his adult years spent in Winnipeg, he had immense loyalty to his neighbourhood bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, and even barbershop, always supporting local business owners. His mother Rose now has a large collection of pottery that he gifted her with pieces from his local gallery every holiday season, while he gifted his sisters with chocolate from his favourite local chocolatier. Buying local started with him—he truly was one with his community.

Robert suffered through a major surgery, braces, and casts all before the age of five. After being informed by his doctor that he would never be able to walk, undeterred, the bright cute blond boy from LaSalle did learn to walk. Years later, the discovery of cycling as a teen led him down a beautiful path that led to his life-long hobby. Only a few years ago, he would easily ride 200 km in a day and nobody would be surprised to see him arrive at their door with his fat bike in -35 degree weather. Rain or shine, hot or cold, Robert was out cycling.

The quiet of the open roads and nature trails throughout the world brought him enormous peace and joy. He shared his adventures with all of us with such enthusiasm. To honour his love of cycling, a charitable fund has been established upon his request. His vast collection of bikes and bike parts will be sold to kickoff the Robert Lagacé Memorial Fund via the Winnipeg Foundation (Make a Gift), with proceeds allocated to local cycling charities. Our hope is that we can continue to raise funds in his honour in the future and bless others with the same joy he felt when riding. 

The family sends our most heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gingerich, Dr. Wheeler, Dr. S. Butterworth, the nursing staff at GA-4th floor, HSC that provided Robert care, respect and compassion during his final weeks. And to Nicole and Bob, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for providing him with comfort and love in the last place he was able to call home. It meant so much to us but it meant even more to Robert. 

We will love you always, Robert. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 16th at the Southwood Golf Course located at 80 Rue Des Ruines Du Monastere, Winnipeg, MB.

Robert’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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