J. Paul LaRocque

SWANTON - J. Paul LaRocque, 97 years young, passed away at the home he shared in Swanton with his daughter Mary and son-in-law, Mike on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

He was born May 7, 1921 in Swanton the son of the late Wilfred & Lura (Beauvais) LaRocque.

Paul was a lifelong resident of Swanton with a 12 year residency in St. Albans where he made many good friends at Hawks Nest. He was baptized, first communion and married as a member of the Church of the Nativity. He served in the United State Coast Guard during WWII. He was employed with Central Vermont Railroad and then at Fonda Container as a machinist for many years retiring in 1984. He also served as the Union President at Fonda. In his younger years he coached baseball and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed golfing, something he did well in to his 90s. Paul had a great love for music and was a skilled musician playing by ear. He was a violinist, a member of the LaRocque Trio with his brothers, and Quartet with his cousin, Bernard. In later years he continued his trio singing with his nephews, Andy & Jim. For over 25 years, Paul was the founding member, and the choral director for the musical group the Grandmas & Grandpas.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Rodney & Paula LaRocque of Lincoln, RI, Mary & Mike Godin of Swanton, Ginny & Roland Chicoque Luneau of Montgomery, and Alfred LaRocque of Enosburg Falls; 7 grandchildren, Susan, Shawn, Julie, Shannon, Jeff, Bently & Brent; 13 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great Grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Bernard LaRocque of Swanton. Besides his parents, Paul was predeceased by his wife Laurie (Robistow) LaRocque after 64 years of marriage; his siblings, Hilda Curran, Clarence Lefty LaRocque, and Ephraim LaRocque and their spouses, and the large extended Robistow family..

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Nativity, 65 Canada Street, Swanton. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in St. Marys Cemetery in Swanton.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, June 20th from 4-7 PM at the Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton.

For those who wish, contributions in Pauls memory may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency - Hospice Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com