MELANSON, J. Laurent – age 80, St-Martin, Digby Co., passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 29, 2015 in Yarmouth Regional Hospital with his family at his side. Born April 7, 1935 in Meteghan, he was a son of the late Napoléon and Léonie (Saulnier) Melanson. Laurent was a retired lobster fisherman, having also served with the US Air Force as a member of the Military Police. He was a member of the Weymouth congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he had a great love for the sea, and loved spending time with his family. He will be fondly remembered for telling funny and interesting stories about his experiences. Laurent is survived by his wife of 52 years, Leona A. (Smith) Melanson, as well as by their children, Lloyd R. Melanson, St-Martin and Annette R. (Pierre) Bourgeois, Kingston, NS, as well as by two grandsons, Eric and Daniel Bourgeois and a sister, Marguerite Davidson, Georgia, USA. Aside from his parents, he was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Madeleine Saulnier, Benjamin Melanson, Thérèse Everett, Louis Melanson, Mary-Rose Wiley, Bernadette LeBlanc and May Comeau, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place under the direction of H. M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yarmouth. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7 from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 391 Main Shore Rd., Chegoggin, Yarmouth Co., Mr. Jim Smith officiating. Spring interment will take place in the Cemetery of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Weymouth.