SOUTH KENT—Denis Rene LaFontan, 81, a lifelong resident of South Kent, passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born June 25, 1943, at Sharon Hospital, he was the son of the late Andre, Sr., and Elisabeth (Hosslin) LaFontan. He attended Kent Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
On January 14, 1966, he married Beverly Card, the love of his life. Denis and Beverly were married for 59 years. Beverly still resides at home.
Denis worked all over Connecticut as a heavy equipment operator, was one of the operators of LaFontan’s Humus and ended his career as the owner/operator of South Kent Construction, LLC, retiring in 2005.
He was an avid woodsman who appreciated and understood Northwestern Connecticut’s forests and wildlife. He was a passionate hunter and fisherman, passing on his love and respect for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren.
Family meant everything to him. He loved his home and there was no place he’d rather be. He enjoyed walks on his nearby parents’ property, also known as “the mountain.” Much of the wood harvested from the “mountain” was used in the wood stove in his basement that kept his family warm all winter.
In his later years, Denis enjoyed good conversation out on his porch—especially about recent animals that he or others had seen, like “Boo,” the neighborhood bear that Denis had named after numerous sightings.
He is survived by two sons and daughter; Vincent and his wife Maria of Kent, Lyle and his wife Elaine of Gaylordsville, and Rebecca and her husband Daniel of South Kent; his grandchildren Olivia, Abigail, Madison, Morgan, Alexandra and Raphael, and two great-grandchildren, Rowan and Harrison.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Kent, 97 North Main St. Kent, CT 06757.
