1920 – 2004

PORTLAND – Arthur Joseph LaChapelle, 83, of Eustis and Coplin Plantation, passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 1, at the Maine Medical Center.

Born in Bath, March 20, 1920, a son of Arthur and Dorothy (Cook Sullivan) LaChapelle, he grew up in Auburn and graduated from Edward Little High School.

Mr. LaChapelle served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946 and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 832 in South Portland.

Throughout his lifetime, he pursued various occupations, including the South Portland Shipyard, working river drives in the Dead River and Flagstaff areas, construction work for Snodgrass and Cianbro Companies and Blue Cross Blue Shield, from where he retired in 1986.

He loved all sports and his passion for the outdoors led him to Eustis, his favorite area of Maine. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved teaching his skills to his children and grandchildren. He shared his love of life through his natural talent of telling stories and caring for others.

According to a childhood friend, his friends would gather pop bottles to pay for one 10-cent admission to the local theater. He would then go to the latest Hoot Gibson movie, after which he would meet his friends who were gathered, waiting for him, under a favorite big tree. He would sit down with them and proceed to tell the story in great detail, holding them captive with every word. He also had a great memory and talent for telling jokes.

While raising his children, his house was a gathering place. More than once, the teens who visited often told him they wished he was their father. As adults, he often was told, “If I could have chosen a father, you would be mine.”

He was a private although true family man who loved life and took pride in helping others. A “life coach” to all he met.

Survivors include his wife of four years, Jacqueline (Waugh Jamison) LaChapelle of Coplin Plantation; daughter, Jeannette Foss of Biddeford; son, Adrian LaChapelle and wife, Sandra of Michigan; daughter, Diana Gagnon and husband, Larry of Auburn; son, A. James LaChapelle and wife, Ollie of South Portland; son, William LaChapelle and wife, Sharon of Westbrook; daughter, Patricia Woosley and husband, Ted of Virginia; daughter, Terrene Smith and husband, Bill of Rhode Island; son, Stephen Jamison and wife, Marie of France; Matthew Jamison and wife, Holly of New Hampshire; Laura Gagne and husband, Brian of Cumberland; sisters, Shirley Brushwein of Florida, and Leona Peterson and husband, Pete of California; brothers, Gerald LaChapelle and wife, Simone of Auburn, Robert LaChapelle of Arizona, and Donald LaChapelle and wife, Carmen of Auburn; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, James LaChapelle; a daughter, Elizabeth LaChapelle; and his wife of 40 years, Sarah Wahl LaChapelle.

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