Rev. Roland LaPlante

Rev. Roland LaPlante
Reverend Roland M. LaPlante passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Rev. LaPlante was born on October 31, 1935, in South Norwalk, CT, son of the late Arthur and Delisca (Laliberte) LaPlante and attended first grade at St. Joseph School which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. Rev. LaPlante was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Class of 1954. While in the fourth grade, he attended an ordination at St. Ann Church-a moment that profoundly shaped the course of his life. So moved by the experience, he felt a clear and unwavering call to the priesthood. From that day forward, he never wavered in his vocation. Every decision he made, and every path he followed, was directed toward answering that call to serve.
Rev. LaPlante began his Seminary studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, graduating in 1956. He then attended St. Mary Seminary University in Baltimore, Maryland, run by the Sulpician Fathers for six years. He was ordained May 31, 1962, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford by the first Archbishop of Hartford, the Most Rev. Henry J. O'Brien, and his was the first class ordained in the recently completed upper Church following the fire of 1956.
Rev. LaPlante's first assignment was a summer one in Washington Depot. The following September, he was given a more permanent assignment, St. James in Rocky Hill where he served for two years as Parochial Vicar. He then served as Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi in New Britain for seven years, St. Mary's in Union City (Naugatuck) for seven years, St. Rose of Lima in Meriden for seven months and St. Joseph in New Haven for two years. Following New Haven, Rev. LaPlante was named pastor of St. Peter Church in New Britain. St. Peter's is a small congregation of French Canadians and German-speaking Austrians. The readings at Mass each Sunday were done in English, French and German which made for a very interesting assignment that lasted fourteen years. In 1995, Rev. LaPlante was assigned to Holy Angels Parish in South Meriden, where he remained for 15 happy years. During his pastoral ministry, he had a few special assignments, including the Archdiocesan Committee for Worship, Committee on the Building and Renovation of Churches, service as dean for the New Britain area churches. In 2010, he was granted senior status as a priest and retired to St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield.
Rev. LaPlante is survived by his sister, Elaine Pepin, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Doris Hart and his brother-in-law, Robert Pepin.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, October 10th, 2025, at 11:00 am in the Chapel at the St. Thomas Pastoral Center, 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield with The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford, officiating. Visitation will be in the Chapel prior to Mass from 9:30 – 10:30am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for Retired Priests to The Benevolent Association for Priests, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.