Oxford resident, Edward Alan LaBarge (57) passed away suddenly on December 2, 2021.

Edward (Ed) was born on January 15, 1964 in Pontiac Michigan. At a young age, the family moved to Waterford Michigan where Ed attended school at Our Lady of the Lakes, where he met his wife, Maureen, for the first time in their fourth-grade classroom. He later graduated from Waterford Kettering High School in 1982.

We are not sure if there was anything that Ed could not fix; we called him our MacGyver. Other than his family and friends, Ed had two loves: Cars & Snowmobiles. His car collection varies from 1964 Convertible Corvette, 1967 GTO, 1969 Chevy Truck, to a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. As for his snowmobiles, if it was a Polaris, and it has been made, he had it at one point in time. Bringing his family and friends out riding near their family cabin in Gaylord, MI, was his favorite thing to do, hands down. One of his favorite one-liners was "People say money can't buy happiness. Well, it can buy a snowmobile, and have you ever seen anyone unhappy on a snowmobile? You can't possibly be unhappy on a snowmobile." He loved tinkering on the toys in his garage and sharing that passion with his son Alan, who has the same talent and intelligence as his Father did. The rebuild of a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro was their current project in progress.

Ed has been co-owner of the Pontiac-based company, Lee Machinery Movers, for 35 years, where 3 of his 4 children now work alongside of him. Ed has employed 100's of people throughout the years & has left an imprint on each of them in one way or another. He had more compassion than most and was able to make every employee feel they were a valued part of the team. Over the years he has supported countless families in so many different ways. His leadership has always been strengthened by his willingness to give his expertise and roll up his own sleeves in any situation.

Ed's kindness and generosity has reached countless people in need. If someone even needed an unsolicited hand, Ed was always there to help, no questions asked and no re-payment expected. This will be his lasting legacy on the community and the example he has left for his family. The untold stories of service to others have continued to surface throughout this week of grieving and support, & the family would like to thank all that have shared those with them.

Ed leaves behind his parents, Ronald and Myrtle, along with his brothers Ronald Jr. & Michael, and his sister Robin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffery, and his Stepfather, John.

Ed also leaves behind his wife & soulmate of 46 years Maureen LaBarge; their four children, Melissa Dean (Shaun), Alexandra Conn (Kyle), Alan LaBarge (Shayla), and Emma LaBarge. Ed and Mo were blessed with their first grandson, John William, just over a year ago.

The hole that has been left in our world will be an impossible one to fill, but we will each follow his lead and strive to be the kind of person he taught us all to be.

"You belong somewhere you feel free"

A funeral service will be held in honor of Ed on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church (5481 Dixie Hwy, Waterford Twp, MI 48329) at 10am with visitation beginning at 9:30. Burial will take place at All Saints Cemetery following the service with a luncheon to follow. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 3PM-8PM at COATS FUNERAL HOME-CLARKSTON (8909 Dixie Hwy, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348) with a recitation of the Rosary at 7PM. Donations can be made in memory of Ed to St. Benedict Abbey (252 Still River Road PO Box 67 Still River, MA 01467).

St. Benedict Abbey
P.O. Box 67, Still River MA 01467
Tel: 1-978-456-3221
Web: https://www.abbey.org/