Harold LaPlante

Harold T. LaPlante, 89, died of lung cancer Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House.Born in Lawrence, he was the oldest son of Arthur A. and Emma (Schwenke) LaPlante. He was educated in Lawrence and was a graduate of Lawrence High School, Class of 1938. A World War II veteran, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of the AMVETS post 147, Haverhill.Harold leaves his wife of 67 years, Florence (Andrews) daughters, Dot LaPlante, Donna and her husband Bud Lecuyer and son, Harold (Bud) LaPlante and his wife Steff and his youngest sister, Marion Chabot of Hampton, N.H. He will also be missed by his granddaughters: Darlene and her husband Glen Baker, and their children, Dawn and her husband Todd Lavely, and their children, and Jessica and her husband Dan Mallon, and their children and grandson, Mitchell Potts and his children. Harold was predeceased by his siblings, Teresa Cata, Eleanor Gallagher, Mary Thomson and Arthur and Donald LaPlante.A man of many talents, Harold had a long and varied career. He was mainly an auto mechanic by trade having owned and operated LaPlante’s Gulf in Lawrence. He was also an accomplished carpenter having built his family’s home in West Boxford where he was very active as a volunteer with the fire department for more than 15 years. He later loved his work as a courier for L&amp M Courier of Salisbury.Harold loved to drive anywhere but Boston, playing the slots, watching sports on tv, especially auto racing, and traveling with his wife, Florence, and their friends. He and his family would like to thank all of the medical professionals and their support staff who cared for him in his times of need, especially Dr. Theodora Christopher, Ellen Byron, Paul Proulx, and the folks at Merrimack Valley Hospice House.ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services for Mr. LaPlante will be held on Sunday, Dec. 26, at 12:30 p.m. in the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125), Haverhill. Calling hours will be held prior to the services from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. If you would like to remember Harold with a donation, please consider the Mission Towers Residents Activities Fund, c/o Deanna Ruth, 180 Water St., Haverhill, MA 01830 the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830 or the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. And please, don’t smoke. www.comeaufuneral.com.