John Colvocoresses Laban

SOUTH PARIS – John Colvocoresses Laban of Bethel, Maine, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Although he grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts, John always considered himself a person from Maine and was happiest in the Maine woods. He graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Forestry and Pulp and Paper, was President of his fraternity Beta Theta Pi, then became a B-52 pilot in the USAF and served in Vietnam. Upon discharge, he and his wife Suzanne moved to Bethel where he worked for the Chadbourne Corporation, the Bethel Inn, and later established the Laban Corporation for Land Management. While owning his own business, John also managed the Fairway Townhomes in Bethel. In all his professions John met and worked with amazing people and appreciated them all.

John and his wife Suzanne established themselves and their children, Christopher, Matthew, and Amy Laban in a traditional Maine farmhouse on the North Road in Bethel where they also raised sheep and Suzanne had a successful fiber and yarn business. John was an early member of the Mahoosuc Land Trust and Suzanne helped to bring the Bethel Area Health Center to the community. He also served on the SAD 44 School Board and on various other community committees.

As his daughter has said, “John Laban was quite simply an amazing human. He had high expectations for those around him, but never higher than those he had for himself. He faced every challenge in his life head on and with utter determination to succeed, and he usually did. He loved so much of life and was known for having that special twinkle in his eyes so few of us possess.”

He was predeceased by his wife of 36 years, Suzanne, his brother Tony and sister Kary.

He is survived by his children, Christopher, Matthew, and Amy Laban, granddaughter Violet, brother George Laban, sister Gretchen Laban Bolduc, and his wife of 15 years, Rosemary. The entire family would like to express their sincere thanks to all the staff and personnel of the Veteran’s Home, South Paris, for the tender, loving, professional and compassionate care given to John. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date and if desired, memorial gifts can be given to the Mahoosuc Land Trust/McCoy Property or the Bethel Historical Society Children’s Summer Program.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home, 37 Vernon Street, Bethel. Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com