Joey M. Laquerre

EAST MONTPELIER - Joey M. Laquerre, 17, of East Montpelier, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

Joey was born Nov. 26, 1996, the son of Jeff Laquerre and Deborah (Garand) Laquerre. He grew up in East Montpelier, where he attended both elementary and middle school. Joey was a senior at U-32 High School, expecting to graduate in the spring of 2015, with hopes of continuing his education in pursuit of his dream of becoming a game warden.

Growing up, many referred to him as Little Joey, aka Lil Joey. Yet there was nothing little about his spirit, smile, hugs, accomplishments, dreams or effect on people. Everything about Joey was big, unforgettable and impressionable, from his athletic talents to his personal impact on his friends, community and family.

Joey had many interests and passions. He loved nature and spent as much time outside as possible, participating in outdoor activities that kept him busy all seasons of the year. He was a talented and gifted athlete. He was one of those kids who could pick up any sport - basketball, soccer, lacrosse or football - and he excelled at everything he tried. He had a natural talent and a strong, passionate and competitive spirit. Combined, those attributes led him to a path where he was destined to thrive: auto racing.

Like many young children, his fascination with cars and motorized objects was typical. His desire and ability, however, to feel the wheel was uncanny and a gift. His father recognized it early on and under his guidance, aided by encouragement from his mother and brother, Jarrett, the family rallied as a team to support his thirst to compete in auto racing.

His parents introduced Joey to go-kart racing as a young child, and he quickly began to hone his skills as a driver. By the time he was 14 years old he had become one of the youngest drivers to sit behind the wheel of a Late Model ACT race car. In just three short years, Lil Joey and crew stood at the podium on several occasions at tracks in New Hampshire and at Thunder Road in Barre, Vermont. Even though he didn't reach adulthood, Joey had a career that many adults envy; despite his young age, Joey had raced competitively against multiwinning track champions, including a NASCAR icon.

Underneath his enthusiasm to constantly challenge his personal best was a childlike, yet mature, heart, and a young man eager to give of himself to others. His true passion was spending time with friends and family. He liked being in the presence of others, whether it was sharing breakfast together, eating mini-pizzas, sitting around a table playing cards, getting his boots muddied, or challenging friends for the sake of a challenge. He took great pride in his role as big brother to Jarrett, enjoying the bond that only brothers share and activities such as snowmobiling, riding four-wheelers, hunting or just jabbing at one another as brothers do. He was a sponge in life absorbing it all, and never wasted time.

Joey embraced life. When faced with curveballs, such as the loss of a mother at young age, he showed others how to prevail by allowing others in. With support from his family, grandparents, friends and communities during his own years of loss, Joey was able to take those experiences and pay it forward. He knew how to uplift others and connect with people from all walks of life. His words of encouragement, positive attitude, beaming smile and most notably his hugs, touched and impacted many.

Tragic, unbelievable and as unimaginable as this loss is, Joey would want others to know that things happen for a reason and that life is full of many wonders and adventures to be explored.

His radiant smile will continue to shine on us all, now on the face of an angel, Lil Joey.

Joey is survived by his father, Jeff Laquerre, and friend Julie Burnor; brother Jarrett Laquerre, of East Montpelier; maternal grandparents Richard and Ginny (Pembroke) Garand, of Montpelier; paternal grandparents Sandra Laquerre Smith, of Barre, and Joey Laquerre Sr. and Pam Dunkling, of East Montpelier; uncles and aunts Rick and Yvonne Garand, of Middlesex, Jay and Danielle Laquerre, of Barre, and Jamie Laquerre and Krissy Murphy, of East Montpelier. Joey is also survived by several great-uncles and -aunts as well as many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Deborah, on Sept. 12, 2005.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Guare & Sons/Barber & Lanier Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier.

A funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 16 Barre St., Montpelier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: ALS Association, NNE Chapter, The Concord Center, 10 Ferry St., Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301.

Online condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com.