LISBON FALLS — Richard ‘Dick’ LaRoche, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3.
He was born Jan. 25, 1932, in Lewiston, the son of Sadie (Blethen) LaRoche and George LaRoche. Dick attended the Lisbon Schools, graduating in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Maine, Agriculture Certificate program after high school. After answering the call of his beloved country and serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he went to work for Agway. He managed the Agway store in Auburn, Maine for over 20 years making friends with many of the farmers in the Androscoggin County area. Dick started LaRoche Insurance Agency in Lisbon after his career with Agway. That family business is now run by his youngest son Joseph.
Dick was a very civic minded person who loved the town he grew-up in, serving on the Board of Selectman and two terms on the Lisbon School Board. He served as Chairman of the school board during his second term. He was very involved in the local Republican Party, serving as chair for many years. Dick was a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce, Legion, Ancient Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Lobster Club and Lisbon Rotary Club receiving that club’s highest award — the Paul Harris Award. Dick and his lifelong friend, Arthur ‘Noyes’ Lawrence were very active in organizing the Lisbon Paper Mill Trail and the first 16 years of Moxie Day’s Parades.
After retirement, Dick went to South Africa on three different U.S. Department of Agriculture volunteer trips to help native Africans grow and market agricultural products. He was committed to providing opportunities for Lisbon area youths to play sports and was a founding member of the Lisbon Junior Athletic Association helping to raise funds for Little League Baseball and flag football.
Dick married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Berube on June 7, 1953. They had a wonderful life together and raised a family in Lisbon.
He was predeceased by his parents, wife Jeanne and daughter Renee.
He is survived by son, Mark and wife, Marybeth, of Greene; son, Matthew and wife, Ruth, of Shirley; daughter, Jane Thomas and husband, Burt, of Naples; son, Richard Jr. and wife, Marilyn, of Sabattus; son, Joseph of Lewiston; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Richard ‘Dick’ LaRoche
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