• Maurice Joseph Laroche

Maurice Joseph Laroche, age 89 years, rejoined his wife Juliette on her birthday, early Saturday morning August 30, 2014, at the Franklin County Rehab Center with loving family at his side.

Born in Highgate Center, Vermont on February 5, 1925, he was the son of the late Omer J. and Yvonne (Plante) Laroche. He attended the North Gore School in Highgate Center as well as Saint Joseph’s School For Boys in Ste. Cesaire, P.Q. On August 28, 1947, he was married to the former Juliette Hebert who predeceased him on January 3, 1975.

In earlier years Maurice along with his family owned and operated a dairy farm on the Saint Armand Road in Highgate Center. While on the farm Maurice had a milk route transporting milk from Highgate to H.P. Hood in St. Albans. He was also a sales person for Wirthmore Feeds and Shur-Gain Fertilizer. Following the sale of his farm in June of 1969, he went on to become a Master Electrician working on countless projects throughout Vermont’s northern counties. More recently Maurice resided at the Swanton Village Green Apartments serving as superintendant for nearly 13 years. He will be fondly remembered for his love of eating and attending most all family, church and community dinners. He especially enjoyed anything maple.

Maurice was a lifelong member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Saint Louis Parish and a honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus Council #297, (past Grand Knight), and Fourth Degree Assembly #1149 and was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #1090 all in Saint Albans.

Maurice leaves his daughter, Ginette Laroche Young and companion Art Goodhue of Swanton; four sons, Richard and companion, Kathleen Grover of Swanton, Raymond and his wife Suzette of Highgate Center, Guy and wife Louise of Swanton and Gilles and his wife Brenda of Chalfont, PA; 10 grandchildren; Michelle, Mark and Renee Laroche, Darci and B.J. Benoit, Jonathan and Arleigh Young, Amanda Young, Matthew Laroche, Michael and Shelley Laroche, Jeremy Laroche and Pat and Stacy Laroche; 11 great grandchildren, Nixon and Scarlett Laroche, Amelia Benoit, Violet Young, Lily Whitcomb, Tyler and Isabelle Laroche, Ian Laroche, Ashley Caceres, Alyssa Selser and Jade Casey; four sisters, Armande Tremblay of Highgate Springs, Aline Bouchard of Franklin, Claire Menard of Sheldon and Denise Rainville and husband Roger of Swanton; one brother, Norman Laroche and wife Charlene of Highgate Center; a sister-in-law, Cecile Laroche of Highgate Center; longtime friend and companion, Claire Lussier of Saint Albans and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Christopher Laroche; a daughter-in-law, Annice Laroche; a sister, Rita Ferland; two brothers, George and Marcel Laroche; two sisters-in-law, Ida and Anita Laroche and four brothers-in-law, Pamphile Tremblay, Philip Bouchard, Fabien Ferland and Claude Menard.

Maurice’s family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the management and staff of The Holiday House and Franklin County Rehab Center for their love, care and support during his stay with them.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday September 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. from The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 65 Canada Street, Swanton. Father Luke P. Austin will be the celebrant and Maurice’s cousin, Father Leonidas B. Laroche the homilist. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Laroche family lot in Saint Louis Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lamkin Street, Highgate Center.

Friends may call at The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton on Friday September 5, 2014, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

For those who wish gifts in Maurice’s memory may be made to The Christopher Laroche Memorial Award, c/o Easter Center for Arts and Technology Foundation, att: Amy Shields, 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA.

To offer private online condolences please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com