Roger A. LaPlante, 79, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, passed away Saturday morning, February 15, 2014 in Claremont, NH, where he enjoyed living with his daughter Karen, while recuperating from a recent surgery. He was born on May 25, 1934 in Franklin, NH, a son of the late Raymond and Beatrice (Lacasse) LaPlante. Raised on a farm in Franklin, he graduated from Franklin HS in 1951. After HS, Roger entered the U.S. Air Force, serving his country proudly in Korea and Japan from 1953-1957. After the service, Roger began his 37 year career in the Parks and Recreation Field, in Franklin, before moving on to Glastonbury, CT, Westfield, MA from 1967-1971, then to Chicopee, MA where he was named Superintendant in October, 1982, until his retirement in July, 1994. He maintained great pride in having served the City of Chicopee diligently and was honored to have worked with so many wonderful people. After retirement, Roger continued his education at Holyoke Community College, earning Certification as a Personal Trainer. For 13 years he enjoyed meeting and working with the students, staff and faculty at The David M. Bartley Center on the HCC campus. He was a communicant of St Anne’s Church in Chicopee, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4044 and the MA and National Recreation and Parks Association. He was predeceased by his loving wife, whom he missed tremendously, Patricia A. (Stinson) LaPlante who passed away January 23, 2013. He leaves his son Timothy LaPlante and his wife Joann of Southwick; three daughters, Karen Gherardi of Claremont, NH, Brenda LaPlante of Westfield and Deborah Kuzdal and her husband Joseph of Westfield; his brother Reginald LaPlante and his wife Pauline of Franklin, NH; his sister Jeanne Perry of Laconia, NH; 14 grandchildren, Christopher, Patrick and AJ Gherardi, Andrea and Aric LaPlante, Nicholas Beaulieu and his wife Rachel, Courtney, Stephanie, Tyler and Shelby LaPlante, Heather and Sierra Leblanc and Matthew and Bryan Danish and 4 beloved great grandchildren, Hailie, Mollie, Andre and Nathan. He also leaves his dear sister in law Carole Salmon and her husband Bob of Derby, KS and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond and Robert of Franklin, NH. His miniature Schnauzer, Heidi, will also miss his company. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 from 4-7 pm at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Anne’s Church at 12:00 noon followed by burial at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002 , Chicopee Parks and Recreation Department, 687 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 or The David M. Bartley Center for Athletics & Recreation, Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040. The LaPlante family would also like to thank the wonderful neighbors on College St. for all their help.