William (Bill) Florian Lafontaine

William (Bill) Florian Lafontaine was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. Bill passed away peacefully on October 15th after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

Bill was born in McHenry, IL, on July 17, 1950, to Cletus and Evelyn (Michels) Lafontaine. Growing up in Johnsburg, Bill enjoyed playing with his six brothers and sisters, neighborhood families, and cousins. Despite being on crutches for long stretches, Bill loved playing baseball, sledding, and playing games in the open field behind their family’s house. After graduating from McHenry Community High School in 1968, Bill attended Northern Illinois University. There, he studied business and met his partner for life, Vicki (Bruce). 

After graduating from NIU, Bill and Vicki were married on April 7, 1973. They spent a year in Joliet, then moved back to Glen Ellyn. Bill had a successful career in telecommunications, working for Illinois Bell, AT&T, Arthur Young, and McDonald’s. Looking for a career where he could more directly help people, Bill became a real estate agent for Baird & Warner where he helped dozens of families find new homes for themselves and loved ones. Outside his professional work, Bill was an active member of First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, serving as treasurer, usher, DuPage Pads volunteer, and youth work camp chaperone. Bill and Vicki could always be counted on to do anything they could to support the Church’s mission.

As much as this work mattered to Bill, his most important role was as an enthusiastic coach, a cheering fan, and an avid supporter of his kids’ creative and artistic endeavors. In semi-retirement, he found a new love of picking up his grandkids from school and supporting their many activities. From chilly Saturday mornings at Ackerman, to toasty evening play performances, Bill and Vicki could always be counted on to be there for their grandkids. There was truly no greater source of joy for either of them, than their family.

Over the past few years, Bill and Vicki struggled with a variety of health issues related to Parkinson’s Disease. Vicki passed away in July of 2024 after dealing with complications related to corticobasal degeneration (a rare form of Parkinson’s). While Bill’s Parkinson’s took its toll on him both physically and cognitively, his love for his family was indefatigable. As his faculties sometimes eluded him, his love of Vicki, their kids, and grandkids was a constant. Seeing his family and friends brought out the loving, thoughtful, kind, and concerned qualities that had always been the hallmarks of his personality. 

Bill is survived by his children Ben (Aimee) Lafontaine, Jami (Bryan) Dougherty, and Steve (Liz) Lafontaine, six grandchildren: Will Lafontaine (18), Jack Lafontaine (13), Colin Dougherty (14), Cormac Dougherty (10), Alden Lafontaine (7), and Maeve Lafontaine (3). He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Jim (Karen) Lafontaine, Susie Lafontaine, Joe (Theresa) Lafontaine, Joanie (Kurt) Jensen, Mike (Pam) Lafontaine, Cindy (Sonny) Fuqua, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and adoring friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: Online at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or by mail, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777

Per their wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn on October 26th at 11:00 a.m. to honor both Vicki and Bill. 

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