BROOKLYN, Conn. – It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear Dad, Emile J. LaPlante. He gave us 100 years of wonderful memories as a fantastic husband, Dad, Pepe and friend. He passed away on Oct. 21, 2023, at the Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing and Rehab Center in Brooklyn, Conn. He was born in Waterville, Maine on June 27, 1923, the son of Evariste and Olia LaPlante, the fourth of fifteen children.

On May 3, 1947, he married Lucille Thebarge LaPlante at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Skowhegan, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary before her passing. For 52 of those years, Norridgewock was their home raising five children. He was employed by Norwock Shoe for over 35 years. In 1982, Mom and Dad moved to Rochester, N.H. where he worked for Encore Shoe until his retirement in 1985. In 1993, they moved back home to Norridgewock until 2010 when they moved to Canterbury, Conn. For many years after his retirement, Dad had various part-time jobs to keep him busy and provide “fun money” for special trips and outings. They made lasting friends wherever they lived. All will remember the many dances, card parties, camping vacations and snowmobile trips. After Mom’s death, Dad spent four years at the St. Jude Common, a senior center in Norwich, Conn. He often shared stories about the activities at St. Jude and specifically his exploits at Bingo. His constant complaint that “he never wins” was disputed by his friends at St. Jude. In August of this year, with declining health, he moved to Pierce Memorial.

Dad/Pepe will be dearly missed by his children, their spouses, and their families- Larry and Anne LaPlante of Hampden, Maine, Wayne and Debi LaPlante of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Karen and TJ Restivo of Lisbon, Conn. He was Pepe to 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He is survived by a sister, Jeanine Sutherland of Colorado Springs, Colo., brother Paul and wife Wanda of Lonsdale, Ark., as well as brother Thomas and wife Carole of Clinton, Maine. He will be missed by in-laws Phillip and Reta Thebarge of Norridgewock, Maine, Mary Maxwell of Port Orange, Fla., Jacqueline LaPlante of Lebanon, N.H. and Sandy LaPlante of Modesto, Calif.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Lucille; daughter Diane and son Michael; and his parents. He was also predeceased by sisters and their spouses, Julie and John Shine, Theresa and Robert Jenesse, Emeline and Maurice Lachance, and Leona LaPlante; brothers and their spouses, Romeo and Audrey LaPlante, Robert and Julie LaPlante, Maurice and Theresa LaPlante, Donald and Jeanette LaPlante, Phillip LaPlante, Ernest LaPlante and James LaPlante; in-laws, Bernadette and Leo Meunier, Clarence Maxwell and Richard Thebarge; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Nov. 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Skowhegan, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers,

contributions can be

made to the:

Good Shepherd Food Bank

PO Box 1807

Auburn, ME 04211-1807 or:

Catholic Charities

Development Office

PO Box 10660

Portland, ME 04104-6060

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