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Philip James LaPlante

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Philip LaPlante Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, 2024.

Philip James LaPlante of Rochester, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, at Edenbrook of Rochester.

Philip was born July 7, 1953 in Rochester, to Paul and Alice Rose (Hawkins) LaPlante. He grew up in Rochester and attended St Francis Elementary and Lourdes High School and graduated from Rochester Community College in 1974.

Philip loved genealogy, storytelling, and reading. Remember library cards? Philip wore his out on a regular basis. His special joy was spending time with family, visiting friends, and following everyone's activities. He worked as an X-ray processing technician, an orderly, and a driver for Mayo and Rochester Transportation Service over the years; in these roles, he shepherded many patients to their appointments and would use his own time to assist out-of-town patients and families with pharmacy and grocery runs.

Philip is survived by his brother, Michael (Christine) LaPlante of Rochester, sister, Paulita LaPlante of Inver Grove Heights, nieces Carly (Mitch) Haugen and Monica LaPlante, nephews Kerry (Avery) O'Neill and Joe (Corrine) LaPlante, and several grandnephews/nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Alice Rose and his brother-in-law, Colin O'Neill.

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in Rochester with Rev. James Berning officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Chatfield.

Memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic Hospice https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/hospice/sections/volunteering-and-donating/gnc-20481749 and to National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota www.namimn.org

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

December 19, 2024

Jane posted to the memorial.

January 14, 2024

Jane Komidor posted to the memorial.

January 8, 2024

Legacy Remembers posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Jane

December 19, 2024

I recently spoke with Sharon Goergen.
She went to X-ray school with Phil and worked with him.
We had a great time reminiscing about how Phil was very intelligent,kind and helpful to everyone during his Mayo career.
Phil liked to frequent Hunt's drug store.
Many times in evenings I would stop in to shop and he would be waiting for someone he gave a ride too.
We would visit briefly and it was always a great history lesson.
He knew the Mayo legacy and the nooks and crannies of Mayowood.
One visit Phil talked about the root cellar and how ice was cut in blocks off the pond to keep the cellar cold.
Phil said,"I went to a Halloween party in the tunnel that connects Mayowood to the Teahouse. It was creepy."
He also spoke about Charles Lindbergh being a frequent guest at Mayowood.
Great stories from a real historian.
J

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Jane Komidor

January 14, 2024

I met Phil Fifty years ago working at Mayo Clinic.
He was a kind,caring,hard working,dedicated employee and friend to all.
Phil always had a smile and a positive word no matter the weather or chaos of a busy day.
You could depend on Phil to have that extra hand reaching out with a brush to help clean snow off of your car windows after an overtime shift or a push for your vehicle when you spun your tires too much.
When you mentioned Phil there were the words,"He is a great guy! You can always count on him to be there "
His smile was a panacea.
No matter where you saw him,he was always interested in your life,listening like you were the best part of his afternoon.
Phil cared for his aging mother with Alzheimer's which can be very demanding and stressful.
On Saturdays his dearly loved brother Mike would give Phil a break and stay with mom so Phil could counsel the "younger generation" at the Mall.
He had a bench waiting and many fans who looked forward to his listening to their challenges of daily living.
Phil was the Saturday Santa Claus at the mall.
I went to the mall and spoke to Phil about my cancer surgery and he shared his survival stories with words of faith and hope.
He said,"Come sit down next to me and we can talk and pray."
Phil often spoke about Mike,Chris and their amazing children.
He looked forward to the home cooked holiday dinners that were delivered to his home.
As I write this I see his smile and feel his Grace and hope Heaven has a Subway sandwich shop.
Jane Komidor