Community and former colleagues gather to celebrate life of 'remarkable man'

Mourners gather to remember Dr. Michael Laffin Friends, family and community members gathered in New Waterford for the funeral of Dr. Michael Laffin.

Friends, family, former colleagues, and community members gathered in New Waterford Tuesday morning for the funeral of Dr. Michael Laffin.

Laffin lived a life of service, flying 22 missions as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

After the war, he became a dentist and made his mark as a politician as he was elected five times to the Nova Scotia Legislature. Laffin served as deputy speaker and in two cabinet positions. He was a Progressive Conservative MLA from 1963 to 1974 and again from 1981 to 1988.

Former and current politicians were among those who paid their respects.

“What a privilege it is to be here and pay respect to such a prominent, important member of our community,” said Cape Breton Centre MLA Tammy Martin “He was a prisoner of war, he served the province as an outstanding MLA, and lived a very full, healthy life. It’s a wonderful celebration of life for such a remarkable man.”

In 2015, Laffin was awarded the Legion of Honour, which is France's highest distinction, for his role on D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

Later in 1944, the Halifax bomber Laffin was flying was shot down over the Netherlands and he was captured and became a prisoner of war.

Laffin died last Thursday at the age of 101.