Leon David LaRoche
1942 – 2009
FARMINGTON — Leon David LaRoche, 67, of North Jay passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Franklin Memorial Hospital with family by his side, after a long illness.
He was born Oct. 8, 1942, in Manchester, N.H., 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 Co. 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 and 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 and 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, and Jackie Knight and husband, Ken, of Farmington; two brothers, Donald LaRoche and his wife, Debby, of Florida, and 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.