Richard L. "Dick" LaPlante

Richard "Dick" Leo LaPlante, 84, of Arlington MA, died peacefully on November 18 after a valiant 3-year battle with Lewy Body dementia. Dick left this world the same way he lived his life, surrounded by the love of his family.

Dick was born on November 21, 1940, to the late Lottie and Edward LaPlante. As the 16th of 19 children, his childhood was full of happy chaos and the joys of a huge family. His siblings and their expanding families meant everything to him, and he looked forward to the yearly LaPlante Family picnics and holiday parties.

As a young father, he adored raising his son Scott and daughter Tina, dedicating Sundays to special outings with them. He began working for the IRS at the age of 19. After earning his MBA, he worked as an IRS revenue agent and on the IRS Strike Force. He served as President of the local chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union before being elected Vice-President of the union's national organization. He took great pride in these union roles and retired from the IRS after 36 years.

In 1972, at an NTEU convention, he met the love of his life, Patti. They married on September 11, 1975, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Together they loved travel, opera, long walks, and Saturday date nights.

Dick was blessed with a third child when he and Patti welcomed Perrin. Tuesday nights were always reserved for Dick and Perrin to play catch, shoot hoops, and hit baseballs.

Dick was an Arlington resident for 52 years and deeply imbedded himself in his beloved community. Volunteerism and service were extremely important to him. He was involved in the Arlington Recreation Department and regularly volunteered at St Agnes Parish. He was the first father to become the President of the Bishop School PTO. For the past 15 years, Dick was part of Summer Village in Westford MA, where he made many close friends.

His heart grew again with the arrival of his four grandchildren: Danny, Kellie, Jet, and Finn. Of his many roles in life, Dick was most proud of being a grandfather. Shortly before his death, Dick was thrilled to meet his great-grandson, Jaxson.

He is predeceased by his LaPlante siblings: Bernice, Harold, Eunice, Douglas, Albert, Gerald, Laura, Ethel, Doris, Gertrude, Norma, Lorraine, Dolores, Lucille, William, and Donald.

He is survived by his loving wife Patricia (Bova) LaPlante; his siblings, Edward and Ronald LaPlante; his children, Scott LaPlante, Tina Hutton and her partner Jim, and Perrin LaPlante; his sons-in-law, John Schilling and Jarrod Petkewich; his four grandchildren, Daniel and Kellie Hutton, and Jet and Finn Schilling; his great-grandchild Jaxson Robinson; and many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut ST., ARLINGTON on Friday November 21, 2025 from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held in Saint Agnes' Church on Saturday at 9 am. Burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington.

Donations can be made in Richard LaPlante's name to Family Table Collaborative.