GORHAM – Laureat O. Gosselin, 85, of Gorham (formerly of Lewiston,) died Nov. 25.

He was born May 19, 1923, in Augusta, the son of Alexandrine (Plante) and Jean Gosselin. Throughout his life, he often acknowledged that he was graced with more blessings than most men merit. Larry graduated from Cony High School as Pearl Harbor was being attacked. As a U.S. Navy boatswain mate on LCI 359, the smallest ocean-going vessel in the Navy, he participated in 14 invasions in the Western Pacific waters, including the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines.

He was employed by St. Johnsbury Trucking his entire working life, as a truck driver, dispatcher and foreman. By far the greatest source of his joie-de-vie was his wife, Helene and family of seven children, all raised in Lewiston, all becoming self-reliant, enjoying health and raising families of their own. He forever expressed gratitude to his Maker for this blessing, too.

Known for his thoughtful story telling, kind spirit and sense of humor, he truly made life better for all those who were lucky enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helene (Lavoie); his one daughter, Jacqueline and husband, Gain Francis, of Gorham; his six sons, Daniel and wife, Ann, of Gorham, Norman and wife, Terry Lee, of Concord, Vt., Paul and wife, Stella, of Lewiston, Richard Gosselin and Carrie Herbeck of Bonita Springs, Fla., Eugene and wife, Diane, of Summit, N.J., and Gerald and wife, Julie, of Mystic, Conn.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Reginald and his wife, Marcelle, of Augusta; and three sisters, Therese and husband, Romeo Tardif, of Augusta, Lisette and husband, Raymond Albert, of Lakeland, Fla., and Arline and husband, Richard Caron, of Bangor.