FARMINGTON – Leon David LaRoche, 67 of North Jay passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at Franklin Memorial Hospital with family by his side, after a long illness.
Leon was born on Oct. 8, 1942 in Manchester, New Hampshire, son of Ethel Lord Fowler and Lionel B. LaRoche. On July 4, 1970 he married Lucy E Paquin and moved to Maine. He worked at Farmington Shoe and G.H. Bass Shoe Company for a few years and then in 1973 decided to start Sunshine Pools. He has lived in Jay for the past 17 years. Many of the pools in the area were built by him and his crew. He and his wife Lucy ran Sunshine Pools and Carousel Crafts. Recently, he has enjoyed seeing Sunshine Pools become reestablished and helped out in the shop last summer selling pool chemicals and parts. He will be sadly missed. One of his many passionate hobbies was oil painting and providing lessons to many in the community with great love and talent. He also enjoyed fishing with family and friends as much as time permitted.
He was active in the community as a member of the Elks Lodge, the Masons, and served as president of the Wilton Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife Lucy; four daughters: Kathy Currier and her husband Bruce of Florida, Donna Cushman and her husband Ronald of Wilton, Kim Lebel and her husband Donald of Turner, Sue Harris and her husband Phil of Vienna; seven sons: James LaRoche of Florida, David LaRoche of Florida, Scott LaRoche and his wife Madeline of New Hampshire, Jeff LaRoche and his wife Kim of Jay, Daniel Dunn of Farmington, Jim Dunn of Jay, Ted Dunn and his wife Mary-Ann of New Sharon; four sisters: Donna Lindbom and her husband Lawrence of Florida, Debbie LeFler and husband Matt of Florida, Karen Giardono and husband Sonny of New Jersey, Jackie Knight and husband Ken of Farmington, two brothers, Donald LaRoche and his wife Debby of Florida, Wayne LaRoche and his wife Simone of New Hampshire; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews which he enjoyed spending time with.
He was predeceased by his mother, father, and brother Scott.
Funeral services will be held, 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton with Rev. Thomas Lequin, officiating. Family and friends are invited to call at the center from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. Gifts may be given in Leon’s memory to his family c/o Wiles Remembrance Center, P.O. Box 827, Wilton, ME 04294. Words of condolence may be sent via e-mail to info@wilesrc.com.
