Dr. Donald J. LACHANCE

LACHANCE, Dr. Donald J. Dr. Donald J. LaChance, a 39-year resident of Madison, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 7, 2010, in Manchester, NH. Affectionately known as "Doc", he was the son of Edward and Blanche Camire LaChance, and grew up in Saco, ME. He graduated from Thornton Academy where he excelled at sports, especially football. He received his doctorate from the Boston University School of Optometry and moved with his young family to Madison in 1953. As a father of five children, his love of sports was put to good use coaching many teams such as Little League, Intermediate Football and Baseball. As a devoted Yankees fan, he was especially proud of his beloved Championship softball team, Dox Jox. Doc was active in political and civic affairs from the start. As a lifelong Democrat, he served for 20 years on the Board of selectmen, six of them as First Selectman and was chairman and a member of the Democratic Town Committee for many years. He was a charter member of the Beach and Recreation Commission, responsible for bringing tennis courts to Madison. He also initiated the town's first Economic Development Commission. He was the president of Rotary in 1956. President of the Jaycees in 1957 presiding over the completion of the Little League field on Scotland Road and was named Jaycee Man of the Year in 1960. In 1992, Don closed his optometry practice on Wall Street. He shared his office with Phil Costello and for many years Don and Phil hosted an annual Christmas Party in their offices attended by hundreds of their friends. He then moved to a tiny town in New Hampshire, South Effingham to start a whole new life. He was an avid skier and became a ski instructor at King Pine in Madison, NH. His woodworking hobby produced many pieces of fine furniture and he was voted in as First Selectman of the town. He also worked in the Indian Mound hardware store in Ossipee, a favorite activity of several Madison ex-First Selectman. Doc is survived by his family, who have happy memories of summers and holidays in Wells Beach. Doc was predeceased by his oldest son, Blaine. He is survived by his children, Suzanne and her husband, Bob Esterly, of Clearwater, FL, Dawn and her companion, Michael Pepin, of Sanford, ME, Timothy and his wife, Mary O'Connor, of Clinton, CT, and Michael and his wife Pamela Lyons LaChance of Chester, CT, and his sister Angie and her husband Gerard Boissonelt of Sanford, ME. He also had three grandsons, Rollin LaChance, of Kennebunk, ME, Timothy and Daniel LaChance of Chester, CT; and four great-grandchildren, Ryleigh, Reese, Ruby and Ryder LaChance of Kennebunk. Lord's Funeral Home in Center Ossipee was in charge of arrangement. Doc was long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Green Mountain Conservation Group. Memorial gifts may be made to this organization. The address is P.O. Box 95, Effingham, NH 03882. WWW.GMCG.ORG