Father Lucien Larre, 93, a priest, psychologist, and tireless champion of troubled youth, died peacefully on February 8, 2026, in Coquitlam, British Columbia. For more than half a century, Father Larre gave his life to those whom society had cast aside— troubled children, delinquent adolescents, and young people battling addiction—offering them professional care wrapped in unconditional love. He elevated everyone around him as he brought love and light to the world.

Lucien was born on September 14, 1932, on a farm near St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, the youngest of thirteen children of Jean Baptiste and Marie (Puech) Larre, a family of deep Catholic faith. Tragedy visited early: his father died when Lucien was only three months old, and at the age of five he was stricken with polio, a disease that would leave lasting marks on his body but none on his spirit.

He received his early education in St. Walburg and at Saint Thomas College in North Battleford, Sask. In 1952, answering a call to religious life, he entered the novitiate for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at St. Norbert, MB., and continued his studies at St. Charles Scholasticate in Battleford. He was ordained a priest on Sept. 29, 1958.

Father Larre was a lifelong learner whose academic pursuits were always directed toward one purpose: to better serve those in his care. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa, a second Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Ottawa. He crowned his academic career, at the age of 62, with a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and later completed a Diploma in Neuropsychology from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California.

Following his ordination, Father Larre served as a teacher of religion, confessor, spiritual director, and assistant pastor in communities across western Canada—at Saint Thomas College in North Battleford, at McCoy High School and Christ the King Church in Medicine Hat, at St. Thomas High School and St. Mary’s Parish in Red Deer, and at Miller Comprehensive Catholic School and St. Mary’s Parish in Regina. He also served as Air Force Chaplain at Canadian Forces Base Penhold, Alberta.

A popular charismatic speaker with a warm, rhythmic voice and a gift for colourful storytelling, Father Larre adopted the theme of being a “missionary of love” in his talks and retreats. He preached in parishes and at conventions across Canada, the United States, Europe, and as far as Kiev, Ukraine, where he led a week-long spiritual retreat for 500 youth camp leaders. In 1988, the hundredth anniversary of St. John Bosco’s death, Father spoke, at the invitation of The Salesians to be the main speaker at their main celebration. Father was also a guest preacher with the Shalom Network which transmitted to millions of viewers all around the world.

He was admired for his fine singing voice and while in Medicine Hat founded the “King’s Men,” a 55-voice all-male choir that staged benefit concerts across Alberta and Sask. At Miller High School he co-founded the “Miller Rovers” an “Up with People”–style musical group of 120 adolescents that toured Europe, including four days behind the Iron Curtain in Prague.

In 1971, Father Larre co-founded Bosco Homes in Regina, a treatment centre for children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric problems, delinquency, and addiction. He worked and lived with the teenagers on a 24-hour basis for twenty years, serving as executive director and guiding the program to national recognition as one of the top treatment centres for adolescents in Canada and the United States. Under his banner slogan, “Give a kid a chance,” the Bosco movement expanded across western Canada.

In 1985, he co-founded Bosco Homes Alberta in Edmonton. He also helped establish the Merici Center in Regina, a program for mothers with babies, and the Tomatis Listening Center. His vision was expansive and creative. He co-founded the Lazy B Ranch near Regina in 1979, giving HIS city-bound youngsters,

the chance to ride horses and enjoy the open prairie. That same year he helped establish Camp Grizzly in the northern Saskatchewan wilderness, offering emotionally disturbed adolescents the tranquility of a wilderness experience. In 1996 he co-founded the Bosco Center in Coquitlam, British Columbia, where he served as Clinical Director for 25 years besides teaching Psychology at Trinity Western University for the first few years.

Ever the innovator, Father Larre co-founded “Chipmunk Construction,” a construction company that employed emotionally disturbed adolescents who could find work nowhere else. Father, with his knowledge of construction, plumbing and electrical taught the kids in his care the fundamental basics and with the help of Nelson Homes of Lloydminster the youngsters built and sold three homes with the profits going to Bosco Society. He organized canoe trips, cross-Canada tenting expeditions, and trips to Disneyland for the young people in his care, understanding that adventure and normalcy were as vital as therapy.

To fund the Bosco Homes, Father Larre co-founded the Big Valley Jamboree in 1983, a country music festival at Craven, Saskatchewan, alongside the Big Valley Stampede—a professional rodeo and chuckwagon racing event. Working with his assistant, Ria Kaal, general manager and producer, the Jamboree grew into one of Canada’s most beloved country music festivals, a lasting testament to his enterprising spirit in the service of children.

Father Larre’s selfless work was recognized with numerous honours, including Saskatchewan’s Citizen of the Year (1978), the Good Servant Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews (1981), the Order of Canada (1983), the Canadian Lifestyle Award (1985), the Thérèse Casgrain Award (1987), the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award (1987), the E. Scott Redman Scholarship Award from Wright State University (1991), and both the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Golden Jubilee Medal (2012) from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In a characteristic act of conscience, Father Larre returned his Order of Canada in July 2008 when Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who started abortion clinics in Canada, received the same honour, refusing to share the distinction with someone whose work he believed contradicted the sanctity of life. It was the first time in Canadian history that a recipient had returned the medal.

Father Lucien Larre lived the vow of poverty he took as a young Oblate. He owned nothing. Everything he built—the treatment centres, the ranch, the music festivals, the choirs, the construction company—was built not for himself but for the children and communities he served. Paralyzed by polio as a small boy, fatherless from infancy, he transformed personal suffering into a lifetime of compassion. His clinical work, his priesthood, and his charismatic speaking all flowed from a single conviction: that every human, young or old, deserves a chance, and that love, tenaciously given, can heal the deepest wounds.

Father never believed in retirement, so when he was in his eighties, he took his knowledge and experience to South Korea and Philippines to work with the Sisters of Mary who take care of thousands of orphans in seven different countries. Many of these children suffer from learning disabilities due to malnutrition and he did all he could to help them.

After several years of declining health, Father Larre died peacefully at the age of 93. He is survived by his sister, Marie Simonot, Saskatoon and by many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families. He is also survived by the many kids who he cared for over the years and who still refer to him as Dad.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jean Baptiste (1932) and Marie Larre (Puech)(1986)and his brothers and sisters, Geneviève (Rice)(1975), Jean Baptiste(1999), François( 1999), Jeanette(Seguin),(2015 ), Joseph(2003),Charles (2004), Gabriel( 2014), Peter( 1984)Thérèse (Bonnet)( 2009),Louis( 1928),Leo, ( 2020).

His sisters and brothers in Law: Don Rice (Géneviève), Pauline Larre (Roussel) (Baptiste), Jeannine Larre, (Bonnet) (Frank), Ray Seguin, (Jeanette), Josephine Larre (Roussel)(Joe), Odelia Larre (Deezar) (Charlie), Lucien Bonnet (Therese), Francois Simonot (Marie), Rose Larre (Reinhart) (Leo)

Nieces and nephews deceased : Louis Larre, Ila Rice, Edna Oryshckuk, (Rice), Mary Veitch (Rice), Frank Larre Jr., Bernard Larre, Charles Larre Jr., George Larre and Marcel Larre

Nieces and nephews in law deceased : Roy Franklin,(Claire), Jim Oryshchuk (Edna), Garry Holzman ,(Lucienne), AL Hendry,(Mary) Stan Neufeld, (Simone), Bob Sigurdson, (Alice), Bob Watson, (Helen), Rick Ouellette, (Frances), Barb Larre, (Roly)

Cremation has taken place. A Prayer Vigil, on Friday, May 8, 7:00pm and the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Larre will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Walburg on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 2:00pm. Interment will follow. The funeral will be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, Father would be honoured to have donations made to Bosco Society, #128 145 King Edward St., Coquitlam, BC. V3K 6M2 to carry on his work with children wherever needed.

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