Francis A. LaPlante, Jr.

MILLBURY – Francis A. LaPlante Jr., 81, of Stone Road, died Thursday, March 20, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease in his home surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn F. (Whitcomb) LaPlante of Millbury; two sons, Francis A. LaPlante III of Charlton, and Matthew J. LaPlante and his wife Susan of Millbury; a sister, Dr. Linda Bressler and her husband Dr. Martin Bressler of Maine; six grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Jeremy, Brendon and his wife, Danielle of Connecticut, Danielle, and Hunter LaPlante; three great-grandchildren, Colten, Finn, and Jaxson; nieces and nephews and many friends who he considered family. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Eva LaPlante of Oxford and Theresa Voorhis of Webster, and his brother-in-law, Robert Voorhis of Webster.

He was born in Worcester, son of the late Francis A. and Eva (Prunier) LaPlante Sr., and lived in Oxford, Holland, Leicester, Charlton, and Sturbridge. As Francis started to show symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, he and Marilyn moved to Millbury in 2016 to live with son Matthew and wife Susan in the custom in-law apartment built for them. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1961 and attended W.P.I. in Worcester. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a radioman aboard the U.S.S. Randolph CVS-15.

Mr. LaPlante was a computer analyst for many years. He also worked alongside his two entrepreneurial sons with their businesses mentoring them with his business ethics and accounting skills. He loved celebrating their success. He was a highly respected member of Greenville Baptist Church in Rochdale, serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher. He also served on many committees at the church. He enjoyed playing softball as a pitcher and left fielder and traveled the country with a championship team in his younger years. He collected coins, baseball cards (in the millions), and stamps, loved to play cards, including cribbage, solitaire and pitch and loved sports statistics. He was a loyal fan of all New England sports teams and watched every chance he got.

He and his wife were inseparable, traveling in their motorhome together, camping, exploring and establishing family traditions that will forever be part of his legacy, including Virginia Beach, VA, Kings Dominion Amusement Park, VA, Emerald Lake State Park, East Dorset, VT every Columbus Weekend, Biddeford Pools, Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunk, ME. Some of these traditions have been for 50 years and will continue with his family. He enjoyed spending time at the ocean swimming, body surfing, digging for quahogs, and playing with the grandchildren.

He was known as Pepe to everyone. He will be remembered as a very humble, kind and generous man who loved his family above all.

The family would like to thank Elderwood Home Care of Sutton, MA and David Rokes, Eileen Koranteng and the caregivers for the support and exceptional home care they provided.

A graveside service with military funeral honors will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne.

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the family home located at 36 Stone Road in Millbury. All are invited.

Flowers or donations can be sent to 36 Stone Road, Millbury, MA 01527 in care of Marilyn LaPlante.

Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.