PRINCETON – Murray Leyland LaPlant, 82, died Aug. 25, 2011. He was born Feb. 10, 1929, in Codyville, son of Therman A. and Albina H. (Cochran) LaPlant.
On June 9, 1950, Murray married the love of his life, Lillian Frances (Brown) LaPlant, and together they shared 61 years of marriage and raised two loving sons. In 1950 Murray started his own trucking business, which because of his hard work and dedication is still in operation to this day. Even though he officially retired many times, Murray continued to work until 2010. He continued to give advice and support until Aug. 25, 2011. Throughout the years the business grew to include logging, chipping, gravel, cranberries and bark mulch. Murray was a demanding, caring and fair employer to many people. He believed that business done with a handshake was as binding as a contract and was always considered to be an honest businessman. Murray was a communicant of St. James the Greater R.C. Church, Baileyville, a member of Grand Lake Stream Historical Society, Princeton Rod & Gun Club, St. Croix Wanderers, Anah Temple Shrine, Bangor, and Lewy’s Island Lodge No. 138 AF & AM. Murray loved camping and had wonderful memories of trips to Alaska, Florida and the many state fairs, where he watched hours and hours of horse pulling, which he introduced to his granddaughters and their children. He loved spending time in Aurora, where he taught his grandsons to hunt and fish. He loved going to the Fryeburg Fair with Marion and Avon, playing cards and talking trips with Ivah and Chick, and Raleigh and Joanne. Murray was very proud of graduating from Lee Academy in 1947 and often returned for the reunions.
Murray is survived by his two sons, Ronald T. LaPlant and his wife, Kathy, and Stephen M. LaPlant and his wife, Cori, all of Princeton; his sister, Ivah Daggett of Princeton; his brother, Raleigh and Joanne of Panama City, Fla.; his four grandchildren, Tara and her husband, Michael Dwelley, Kristin and her husband, Kristofor McAlpine, Matthew and his wife, Megan LaPlant, and Nathan LaPlant and his girlfriend, Eryn Crowe; his great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ian LaPlant, Colin, Cameron and Landon Dwelley, and Ryan McAlpine; many nieces, nephews and friends; his sister-in-law, Marion Staples of Grand Lake Stream; and brother-in-law, William Tracy and wife, Joan, of Charlotte. In addition to his parents, Murray was predeceased by his wife, Lillian F. (Brown) LaPlant; and an infant daughter, Lucy Marie LaPlant.
Visiting hours will be held 6-9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at St. James the Greater R.C. Church, Baileyville, by Father James Plourde. Burial will take place at Princeton Cemetery, followed by a time at Princeton Rod & Gun Club. If you wish to make a donation, please send to Grand Lake Stream Historical Society, P.O. Box 52, Grand Lake Stream, ME 04637 or American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. We encourage everyone to participate by donating blood in Murray’s memory at the upcoming blood drive, held by the American Red Cross at Calais Regional Hospital. Condolences and memories may be shared at
www.maysfuneralhome.com.