EMILE LAPLANTE

Emile LaPlante passed away at his home on Friday, May 24, 2013, surrounded by his current wife, Susan, and his loving children. Emile LaPlante was born Aug. 21, 1934, in Vanburen, Maine. He was one of 19 children to the late Charles and Azilda LaPlante of Vanburen, Maine. He married Jeanine Madore in 1960, who passed away March 25, 1991. He later married Susan P. Dort.

As a young man he initially went to seminary to become a priest but found his calling to be with the United States government. Emile proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1957–1959. After a 30-year career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, including a year in Vietnam from 1968–1969, he retired with the A.A.F.E.S. as manager of the Main PX at Fort Lee, Va., in 1988. His service to the government brought him and his family to Dinwiddie, Va.

He is survived by his three sons, Luke A. LaPlante and wife, Lynne LaPlante, Kelly J. LaPlante and wife, Pat LaPlante, all of Dewitt, Va., Jesse H. LaPlante and girlfriend, Beth Peek, of McKenney, Va.; and one daughter, Lynn L. Clay and husband, Thomas R. Clay Sr. of Dewitt, Va.; 10 grandchildren, Elise D. Mack, Dana R. LaPlante, Nena J. LaPlante, Justin V. Story, Heather V. LaPlante, Zachary T. LaPlante, Nicholas H. LaPlante, T. Reed Clay Jr., Justin E. Clay, and Evan M. Clay; four great-grandchildren, Jordan A. Mack, Lexy N. Clay, Thomas R. Clay III (Tray), and Tristian E. Clay; three sisters and two brothers, Theresa LaPlante, Lou Cyr, Germaine Moran, Chanel LaPlante, and Patrick LaPlante.

He very much enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. He reminisced frequently of family trips to Allagash Wilderness in Maine/Canada as well as many other outings. He will surely be missed, especially by his beloved dog, Dynamite.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2013, in All Saints Chapel Free Catholic Church, 14211 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddie, Va., with Fr. Tim Delbridge, celebrant. His remains will be taken to Vanburen, Maine, by his family where he will be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the All Saints Chapel Free Catholic Church Food Bank (across from the library and old Dinwiddie Courthouse (Exit 53 on I-85).

Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.