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Laurent Laplante Obituary
1931 - 2011
LEWISTON -- Father Laurent R. Laplante died unexpectedly on Sunday night May 1, 2011, at his home.
He was born in Lewiston on June 3, 1931, the fourth child of Cyrille and Reinelde Guilmette Laplante.
He was educated at Holy Cross School in Lewiston, and at age 14, as he already knew of his priestly calling, he started his studies at the Oblate Seminary in Bucksport and Bar Harbor. He then transferred to Le Grand Seminaire in Montreal where he was ordained a Deacon. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1957, by Bishop Feeney at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. He celebrated his first mass the following day at Holy Cross Church.
As a newly ordained priest, he spent his first summer helping in Northeast Harbor. He was then assigned as parochial vicar at St. Charles in Brunswick, and then St. Theresa in Mexico. He was then appointed Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Portland. His first parish as Pastor was at St. Matthew's in Hampden, followed by St. Margaret's in Old Orchard Beach, St. Matthew's in Limerick, St. Andre in Biddeford and St. Martha in Kennebunk.
He was instrumental in building new churches in Limerick and Kennebunk.
He is survived by his seven sisters, Fernande Dodge, Irene Francoeur, Cecile and husband Russell Gagnon, Lorraine Ouellette, Yvette and her husband Reggie Parent, Carmelle Laplante and Simonne Paul. He also leaves 20 nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers-in-law, Glenn Dodge, Onile Francoeur, Bob Ouellette, Jim Paul; and nephew, Richard Ouellette.
Right of Reception of the Body will be held on Wednesday at Holy Cross Church at 4 p.m. Visitation to follow in the church until 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Church with Bishop Richard Malone as Principle Celebrant. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home Cremation and Monument Services, 70 Horton St., Lewiston. You are invited to share fond memories of Fr. Laplante by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations
preferred in Fr. Laplante's
memory made to:
Holy Cross Building Fund
P.O. Box 1540
Lewiston, Maine 04241
or St. Dominic's Academy
121 Gracelawn Rd.
Auburn, Maine 04210-6452
Fr. Laurent R. Laplante
The Fortin Group
Auburn 207-783-8545
Lewiston 207-784-4584
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Laurent Laplante
May 22, 2011
Fr. LaPlante, God welcome you into his Kingdom and Bless your family. Thank you for helping me through a difficult time in my love. I'll always remember you.
ML, Kennebunk
Beth McGeechan Thieme
May 16, 2011
It was from Father Laplante that I learned of the universal acceptance of all people that Jesus wanted us to emulate. Father Laplante was gentle and giving.
St. Gabriel's parish
May 7, 2011
Fern, Irene, Cecile,Lorraine, Yvette,
Carmelle, & Simonne,
Heaven must be a little brighter now.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Ray & Claudette & Family
N Naimey
May 6, 2011
Father Laplante was a kind, gentle man. He always knew the right thing to say. He could make you smile no matter how sad you felt. I know he is in a place so special and beautiful right now.
Chas & Urs Wesley
May 5, 2011
Fr LaPlante was a truly great parish priest. The world is a sadder place without him.
Ruth Ellen Cialfi
May 5, 2011
Father LaPlante was instrumental in my decision to become Catholic. Through the RCIA program, his guidance allowed me to solidify my faith which has been such an amazing comfort and joy in my life. Thank you, Father LaPlante for all you did for me and for our community!
May 5, 2011
Fern,Irene,Cecile,Lorraine,Yvette,
Carmelle and Simonne,
Our sincere simpathy to all of you and your extended families.
Dave & Irene Laplante
Indian Harbour Beach, FLorida
gerard frechette
May 5, 2011
Father Laplante was a great spiritual guide for me and also my wife at critical points of our lives.
T. Perkins
May 5, 2011
This is a huge loss for all who knew Father.
He has been there for our family time and time again from 1978 to 2007.
We were very blessed to know him, and I feel we are all stronger people too.
We will miss you.
Lisa Dobbs
May 4, 2011
Father Laplante was the best priest ever. My sister and I were alter servers at St.Margarets church in Old Orchard Beach and he was so calm and patient with us. He was also the pastor who gave me first communion and first confession. He will always hold a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten. Always told me to forgive others and pray. I thank him for making such a difference in my life even to this day. I still have mopey that he gave me as a kid for selling tickets and raffeling a moped. I will treasure it now more than ever. God, take care of him in your kingdom.
Annette Comeau-Plourde
May 4, 2011
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Laplante Chalice
Parishioners St. Matthew's
May 4, 2011
On October 25, 1983, Fr. Laurent Laplante came to Limerick to shepherd the flock of St. Matthew's. A fine instrument of the Holy Spirit, he used leadership and encouragement to bring out our individual gifts. He fused us together with extreme care, building on past accomplishments and future goals. Finally, he helped us build much more than an outstanding house of worship. He shared the joy of the Eucharist with us. He inspired us through the Word of God. Fr. Laplante's faith and love of his calling were evidenced in a devotion to his people and to his God. And Fr. Laurent Laplante showed us in many ways, that it is the lively nuances of spiritual growth that form the majesty of Church and that at its center is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.
Annonymus
May 4, 2011
When I was an altar server for him he would make me feel better when I knew I messed up. He would tell me, "There is now way your the first to mess up, this has been going on for 2000 years. Trust me there's more then you that have."
Steven Baird
May 4, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to Father Laplante's sister's and family. Ten yrs ago I became Catholic. I went through RCIA with Father Laplante and besides his love and support, he gave me my greatest gift, my strong Catholic faith! He went onto baptising my daughter and then my wife went through RCIA with Father. All we can say is thank you Father for all you gave us. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers forever. You were the BEST! Steve, Terri and Emily Baird
Robert Lacasse
May 4, 2011
My condolences to the clergy and the family of Fr. Laplante.
His sister,Lorraine, was my classmate at Holy Cross. Larry was also part of our Oblate family for several year. May he rest in peace in our Father's House.
Fr. Robert Lacasse, omi
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
May 4, 2011
Fr. Laplante at various times was my boss, my friend, my counselor, my priest. He witnessed our vows, christened our daughter, and was for us a good and holy man of God. We thank God that Larry was part of our life. Ray and Kathy Latour
Allison Romano
May 4, 2011
I was an alter server for him when he was at St. Matthew's Church in Limerick, Maine. He was a nice person with a good heart. He will be missed.
Bob and Mamie Ney
May 4, 2011
We are so sorry to hear about Father. What a wonderful priest and man! How he loved his family and his parish families. We still miss him very much in Kennebunk and will cherish our memories of him. What a blessing to have known him.
Dan Sizemore
May 4, 2011
Father LaPlante was kind, decent, funny and eloquent. He served our community well and will be deeply missed.
May 4, 2011
Fr Lalante did so much to enliven our parish community. We are are much more a close community now! Thank-you Fr Laplante.
Marian K
May 4, 2011
Father Laplante was the BEST,My faith is so much stronger because of him,He was a kind holy man who was loved by all,I know for sure that we now have an angel looking over us!!! Reuben ,Sarah ,Laura Inniss
The Pearson Family
May 4, 2011
Father LaPlante was instrumental in our family coming back to the Catholic Church when we moved to Maine. His devout faith came through during his teaching of the RCIA classes. May you rest in eternal peace and may our Heavenly Father provide comfort and strength to your family.
Lisa Crimp
May 4, 2011
Father LaPlante was an wonderful Pastor, leader and friend to all. His sermons inspired, his counsel great, he was cherished by our family. We are saddened by his sudden passing, but think it was no coincidence that he was taken Home on Divine Mercy Sunday. God blessed us with Father LaPlante - may God comfort his family today. Thank you.
May 4, 2011
I was a teenager when Father Laplante was at St. Theresa,s Parish in Mexico and we all loved him, young and old alike. He was a wonderful person.
Richard Bisson
May 3, 2011
One of the best priests we had at St Margarets in Old Orchard. Was an alter server when he was pastor. He will be missed.
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