He was born in Sanford on Aug. 31, 1927, a son of the late Paul and Alice (Michaud) LaRochelle. He joined the Merchant Marines during World War II and was awarded the Atlantic War Zone Bar and the Mediterranian — Middle East Zone Bar.
Leo was a professional truck driver for most of his life. In addition to being devoted to his family, he had a variety of hobbies through his life that he enjoyed, including ham radio, building remote-controlled model airplanes and his latest passion for the last 30 years was searching for, trading and collecting antiques.
He is survived by: his son, Edward LaRochelle of Sanford; a brother, Raymond LaRochelle of Naples, Florida; three sisters, Theresa Rivard of Springvale, Yvette Cote of Zellwood, Florida, and Dorothy Glaude of Milford, New Hampshire; two grandchildren, Doreen Horween and her husband, Douglas, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Darrin LaRochelle of Sanford; and two great-grandsons, Aaron and Alexander Horween of West Palm Beach, Florida. Leo is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by: his wife, Margaret (Desmarais) LaRochelle: his brother, Donald LaRochelle; and sister, Jean Dupuis of Montreal, Canada.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church. Following the Mass, a luncheon will take place at the St. Ignatius Parish Hall on Riverside Street.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of York County, 180 U.S. 1 Scarborough, Maine 04074.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford.
Condolences may be expressed at blackfuneralhomes.com.
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