John Joseph LaPlante, 63, of Salem, NH died with pride Sunday, March 20th at Tufts Medical Center after a valiant 10 year battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
John was born in Lawrence, MA the son of the late Mary (Langtry) and Paul LaPlante. He graduated from Woodbury High School in 1965 and from University of NH in 1969.
John married Susan Gile in 1969 and he entered Air Force pilot training in Selma, AL. His 37+ year career in the USAF included active duty during Vietnam and reserve duties. He was a pilot for Delta Air Lines for 20 years and his passion for flying lasted his lifetime.
He had a love of family, country and the outdoors. Upon retirement, his pastimes included volunteering weekly at Parkland Medical Center, traveling with his wife, boating at Lake Winnipesaukee, motorcycling with the ROMEO’s, downhill skiing, swapping jokes and flight stories with the QB’s, driving NASCAR race cars and watching his children and grandchildren grow to their best potential. He is a parishioner of St. Joseph Church.
Survivors include:
Wife of 41 years Susan (Gile) LaPlante;
Two children, son Marc and his wife Kristen of Salem and
daughter Debi LaPlante and her husband David Forbes of Salem;
brother Paul, Jr. and his wife Johanne of Dade City, FL; and
four grandchildren, Austin and Ashley LaPlante and Gavin and Aiden Forbes
as well as nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Thurs., March 24th at 11AM at St. Joseph Church in Salem. Cremation will follow.
Calling hours are Wed. from 4-8 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH.
Memorial donations to: The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care; The Neely House at Tufts Medical Center, PO Box 716, Boston, MA 02111, www.camneelyfoundation.org.