Arthur LaChance 93 of Windham, NH passed away peacefully at his home on July 2, 2014. Arthur was born on May 31, 1921 in Manchester, NH to the late Orville and Henedine LaChance. He enjoyed skiing in the mountains until he reached his 80’s, playing 45’s, boating, square dancing, and activities with his family. Arthur especially found joy spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a graduate of Lawrence High School in 1939, Arthur attended Lowell Tech. He was a member of Council #4027 Knights of Columbus, a member of the Salem, NH and Methuen Chamber of Columbus, a member of the Methuen Board of Trade and Holy Family Hospital, Men’s Guild. Arthur was a communicant and a very active parishioner at St. Theresa’s Church of Methuen as well as St. Matthew’s Church in Windham. He successfully founded, owned and operated A&R Construction Company of Methuen and RAJ Realty of Salem New Hampshire. The two business eventually combined into LaChance Associates, which operates today out of Salem, NH Arthur was an extremely proud WWII United States Navy Veteran. He volunteered his services to his country and was a member of the Sea Bee Division during the Normandy Invasion.
Arthur was the beloved husband of the late Pearl (Forcier) LaChance for fifty-eight years. He was the devoted father of Brenda Murphy and her husband William of Saratoga, CA, Richard LaChance and his wife Sandra of Salem, NH and the late Carol Silva, wife of Barry Silva of Litchfield, NH. He was the dear brother of the late Jeanette Burns, the late Ida Lesperance, and the late Theresa German. He was the cherished grandfather of Scott Silva, Glenn Silva, Cheryl Durzy, Erin Silva, Jarred LaChance and Kristin Murphy. Arthur is also survived by nine great-grandchildren and his companion Marion LeBlanc for over ten years.
Arthur, also known as Pepere, built several homes over the years. His “camp” in Salem, NH has been an annual gathering spot for his entire family for over sixty years. It is and will remain a special place for the family to join together and remember their father/grandfather/great-grandfather for generations to come. His sense of humor and zest for life will be missed by all who knew him.
Friends and guests are invited to call on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen, MA 01844. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:30 AM on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at St. Matthews Parish, 2 Searles Rd. Windham, NH 03087. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s memory may be made to Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Wounded Warrior Center Building #49 Camp Pendleton, CA 92055. For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the LaChance Family.