Paul was born on March 13, 1932, to Oliver and Mamie (LeBlanc) LaChance in Springxvale, where he grew up and attended local schools, graduating from Sanford High School in 1951.
In 1957, Paul married Marguerite Rivard. They shared nearly 59 years of marriage, and raised five children.
Following high school, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving two years during the Korean Conflict. After completing his enlistment, he returned to Maine and opened a service station in South Paris with his brother Roland. Two years later, he returned to Springvale, where he and his brother opened the LaChance Brothers Service Station, eventually expanding the business to also include used auto sales.
During this time, he was also employed at Pioneer Plastics and in the construction industry. Paul continued to own and operate the garage until his retirement in 1995, when his son Daniel took over the business.
Paul enjoyed playing pool and cards, and spending time with his many friends at the Springvale Social Club, the American Legion, the Elks and the Lafayette Club. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, had served as president of the Springvale Social Club, and had been very involved in both planning and attending many class reunions over the years. He had been an communicant of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by a son, Daniel LaChance; and by his brother, Roland LaChance.
He is survived by: his wife, Marguerite LaChance of Springvale; four children, Robert LaChance of Springvale, Janet Meyerhoff and her husband Ladd of Lyman, Norman LaChance of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Pauline McCoy and her husband Dale of North Waterboro; a daughter-in-law, Kim LaChance of Springvale; eight grandchildren, Danielle Mendes, Jennifer Chapais, Bobbi LaChance, Jo-Lynn LaChance, Savannah LaChance, Michael Hersom, Peter McCoy and Ashley LaChance; eight greatgrandchildren; a brother, Raymond LaChance of Springvale; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, located on Payne Street in Springvale. Interment with military honors will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery. At Paul’s request, nobody should come to the funeral dressed in black – cheerful colors only, please.
Arrangements are by Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford- Springvale. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit blackfuneralhomes.com.
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