Charles-Henri LaRoche

1926 - 2018

PETERBOROUGH – Charles-Henri LaRoche passed away from natural causes after a brief illness on Friday, January 5, 2018 at his home with friends and family at his side.

Charles was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 4, 1926. He was the son of J. Arthur LaRoche and Juliette LaRoche (nee Lajeunesse). He was born into a family rich in artistic and musical talents and grew up in the Boston area. Very early on he embraced a love for the arts and music. Charles and his seven siblings benefited tremendously from the cultural offerings of Boston, and all were given instruction in the arts and music during their childhood.

Charles was in the Navy at the end of WWII where his artistic talents were applied to various graphics and historic paintings. After his military service, he received scholarships to and attended the Cambridge School of Art, the Art Students League, and the Boston Museum School. Through an acquaintance met at the Museum School, Charles's parents purchased a home in Sharon, New Hampshire, and Charles met his wife, Joan Peters, of Peterborough at a concert at Putnam Park in Peterborough in 1946. They had a loving marriage of 70 wonderful years. Charles and Joan raised their three children in Peterborough and later spent summers on Martha's Vineyard and winters in Florida. After 30 years away from their roots, they returned to live full time in Peterborough in 2008.

Charles was a successful contractor and developer in Southern New Hampshire for 30 years. In business with his brother, Roland, they built many commercial and residential buildings, and were strongly influential in the development of Peterborough. Charles also designed and built several of his own distinctive, modern homes with attached art studios where he and his family, lived, created, cooked delicious gourmet meals, and enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

Charles also taught art classes at The Dublin Boys School for 25 years and was an avid tennis player, being instrumental in the founding of the Monadnock Indoor Tennis Club. However, his true talents and loves were that of an artist. He lived his life in the avid pursuit of beauty and creativity. Accomplished in many styles and mediums, his art work took on many forms, that of painting (exceptional portraits!), murals, sculpture, and architecture. Some of his work still can be seen in various locations throughout the Peterborough area.

As an artist, Charles had many one-man and groups shows, several of which were at the Worcester Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Fogg Art Museum. He had the privilege of fellowships at the MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, the Michael Karolyi Memorial Foundation in Vence, France, and the Ossabaw Foundation in Georgia.

Charles lived his life by his own convictions, often citing that "rules were meant to be broken," and he happily approached life in an unconventional manner. His talents and lifestyle sustained him through a very rich, productive, and satisfying life.

Charles was predeceased by his daughter, Diana LaRoche Clark, of Bedford, New Hampshire; by four brothers, Gerard LaRoche of Cheverly, Maryland; Roland LaRoche of New London and Peterborough, New Hampshire; Raymond LaRoche of Acton, Massachusetts; and Paul LaRoche of Peterborough; and a sister, Sr. Pauline LaRoche, SUSC of Lowell, Massachusetts.

He leaves behind his wife and best friend, Joan Peters LaRoche; two children, Peter LaRoche and his wife, Diane, of Peterborough and Barbara LaRoche and her husband, Steve Flessa, of Walpole, New Hampshire; a son-in-law, Jim Clark, of Bedford, New Hampshire; two grandsons, Tyler LaRoche and his partner, Megan Roy, of Peterborough and Justin Flessa-LaRoche of Walpole, New Hampshire and a great grandson, Reuben David Roy-LaRoche, of Peterborough; and two sisters, Madeleine Musetti of Boulder, Colorado and Sr. Claire La Roche, SUSC of Lowell, Massachusetts.

In accordance with Charles's wishes, there will be no calling hours or formal service. The family is planning an open house for family and friends to celebrate Charles's life and works at their home in Peterborough in the spring.