Paul Leo Plante

1929 – 2009

LEWISTON — Paul Leo Plante, 80, of 4 Grande Avenue, Lewiston, died Monday, Nov. 16, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Lewiston on April 24, 1929, he was the son of Emile and Estelle Carboneau Plante. Educated locally, he was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Navy. His first wife, the former Mary Mosely, passed away in 1961.

After serving in the Navy on the USS Tarawa, he held a variety of jobs including serving on the Lewiston police force, working as a hand sewer in local shoe shops, and delivering goods to local markets. It was in one of those local markets that he met his lovely wife and on February 19, 1971, he married Lorraine Y. Galipeau. Together they owned and operated Belanger’s Market in Lewiston for many years. They made their home in Lewiston where they raised their seven children. After retiring they enjoyed their winters together in Sarasota, Fla.

He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish and the American Legion. In his free time he loved a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting or just observing nature. He was also an avid sports fan and competitive card player. He will be remembered foremost as a man who loved to entertain his family and friends with his great sense of humor and practical jokes.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Lorraine, of Lewiston; three sons, David and his wife, Lynn, of Old Orchard, Richard and his wife, Denise, of Lewiston and Gary and his wife, Joy, of Naugatuck, Conn.; three daughters, Lisa Brochu and her husband, Gerald, of Danville, Patricia DaGomes and her husband, Laurence, of Lisbon Falls and Kathleen Pease and her husband, Russell, of Mesa, Ariz.; a brother, Lucien of Southington, Conn.; eight grandchildren, Nicole Plante, Amy Brents, Brad Parker, Jennifer Dumond, Michael DaGomes, Renee Plante, Markie Plante, Steven Plante and Lauren Pease; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents and his first wife, he was predeceased by a son, Mark, who died in 1988; his sister, Rita; and two brothers, Fern and Toots.