RICHARD JOSEPH PLANTE

WAYNE – Richard Joseph Plante, 67, formerly of Mexico, Maine, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at his new home in Wayne. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family, after a courageous 18-month battle with colon cancer. He was born March 30, 1942, in Rochester, N.H., the oldest child of Eugene Joseph and Margaret Mae (Martin) Plante of Berwick. He graduated from Berwick High School in 1960 and attended Nasson College, Springvale, for one year before transferring to the University of Maine, Orono, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education in 1964. He served in the Army and then taught seventh and eighth grade language arts, and reading at Lebanon Elementary School, in SAD 60. He married Elsie Stanley of Little Cranberry Island, Nov. 4, 1967, on Little Cranberry Island. They moved to Mexico, Maine, where he taught elementary school at SAD 43 for 38 years. He was Walmart Teacher of the Year and held several offices in the Mexico Teachers Association. For more than a decade, he worked as a correspondent and photographer for Lewiston Sun Journal. His many community activities included Kiwanis International, Mexico Planning Board, Mexico Historical Society, and Oxford County Democrats. He spent many hours videotaping events for Western Valley Access Channel and was the current president. All time spent with his grandchildren was treasured. Some favorite times were the many hours he and Tyler spent playing sports in the gym at Meroby, and the Saturday mornings when he and Ian went bowling and out to breakfast at McDonald’s. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Judy (Plante) Stewart, who died in 1972. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elsie; his daughter, Jennifer Plante of Dixfield; his son, Jeffrey Plante and fianc?e, Tara Perry; his grandchildren, Tyler and Ian Plante, as well as a special honorary grandchild, Courtney Morrison, all of Wayne. He is also survived by a brother, Donald and his wife, Linda Plante, of Ohio; a sister, Nancy and her husband, Art Tarbox, of Berwick; a brother, Eugene Plante of Florida; and a sister, Sandy and her husband, Wayne Smith, of New Hampshire. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family thanks Androscoggin Home & Hospice Care, Rumford Hospital Oncology, Rumford VA Clinic, and especially Dr. Nicholette Erickson and staff of Central Maine Medical Center Oncology Associates. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Wiles Remembrance Center, 42 Weld St., Dixfield, with Pastor Ami Sawtelle officiating. After the service, all in attendance are invited to a time of fellowship, refreshment and to share in a video tribute at King Hiram Masonic Lodge, Mexico. Gifts may be given in Richard’s memory to Meroby Elementary School, 21 Cross St., Mexico, ME 04257 or Western Valley Access Channel, 13 Brown St., Mexico, ME 04257. Words of condolence may be e-mailed to info@wilesrc.com.