Mr. Richard John “Dicky” LaPlante, of Yulee, Fla., and formerly of Taunton, died December 20, 2016 in the Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Fernandina Beach, Fla. He was born September 28, 1945 in Dighton, the son of the late Armand and Lillian (Bilodeau) LaPlante. Richard was a 1963 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton, and attended evening classes at Stonehill College in Easton. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1966 as an Aviation Electrician with the RVAH recon squadrons. He married his high school sweetheart in 1966 upon his discharge from active service. He was employed by the Raytheon Corp. prior to becoming a union carpenter. He had his own contracting until 1980, when he became a firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department, where he served his city with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2004. Richard was a member of the American Legion Post 0054 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He also was involved with Cub Scout Pack 6 in Taunton and Boy Scout Troop 45 in Dighton when his sons were growing up. He enjoyed carpentry, puttering in his yard, and just watching the grass grow. He enjoyed being “Mr. Fix-it.” He enjoyed being a dad and loved his sons unconditionally. He adored his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra J. (daCosta) LaPlante, his 2 sons: Jayson LaPlante and his wife, Sondra (Clemmey) LaPlante and their children Shawna, Jake and Ryan LaPlante of Taunton, and his son, Michael LaPlante of Newton. He is also survived by a sister, Constance Jenney and her husband, Robert of Lancaster, Ma., and a brother, George LaPlante and his wife, Abby of Ocala, Fla., 2 nieces Donna (LaPlante) Burch, Cheryl (Jenney) McCarthy, and 3 nephews: Brian Jenney, Stephen LaPlante and David LaPlante. Richard also leaves behind 6 Godchildren who were all very special to him. He was predeceased by his life-long friend, Edward Riendeau and leaves behind his Best Friend, Ted Hamlin. He also leaves behind many who considered him a good friend and a real gentleman.
A Mass of Christian Burial, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be celebrated at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, Spring Street, North Dighton, on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00 A.M. Richard’s family will receive visitors prior to the Mass in the church foyer, from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Interment with military honors will follow the Mass in Cedar Knoll Cemetery, East Taunton. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the First Coast Cancer Foundation, 10881 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla., 32223. The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home of Taunton is assisting Richard’s family with the services.