Larry Lafave was a lifelong resident of Martintown. He was born on May 31, 1943, the son of Mabel Flaro and Joseph B Lafave. He was a well liked and respected member of the community. An avid musician, Larry played guitar in a few local establishments and in several hotels in West Quebec.

The Grand Hotel in Martintown was the place to go in the 70s if you enjoyed Celtic music. Larry and his wife Frances (Macdonald) were the proprietors at the time. Larry provided a venue for inspiring Celtic bands like the Dorney Express, The Brigadoons, Hughie McDonell, Bob Burnie, Paddy Kelly, Jackie Smith and the amazing Gerry O’Neill.

Sunday nights were legendary at The Grand. Incredible buffets and toe-tapping Scottish and Irish music dominated the scene. There were often line-ups, up and down Dundas Street of anxious people waiting to get in. Hotels in those days had a strict seating capacity. All doors had to be carefully guarded. Party goers from all over SD&G and elsewhere came to partake of the delicious meal, meet friends and dance the night away. Some revellers lasted to the wee hours of the morning.

The days at The Grand are long gone now, but the prevalence of Celtic music in our beloved Glengarry has solid roots, and continues to thrive. Larry has certainly promoted and intensified this trend. He is therefore a deserving inductee into the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame.