WOOLWICH – Neil Edward Larochelle Sr. passed away Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, from natural causes at his home, on the 57th anniversary of his wedding to his late wife, Mary. He was born July 28, 1931, at the family farm on White Road, Bowdoinham, the second of four children of Edward A. and Lela E. (Bishop) LaRochelle.
He was raised on the farm in Bowdoinham and attended the one-room Bishop School. Upon the sudden death of his father, his uncle paid tuition for Neil to attend Maine Central Institute. After graduating from Maine Central Institute in 1948, Neil enlisted in the U.S. Navy during Korean War. After his service he attended and graduated from Farmington State Teacher’s College, now the University of Maine at Farmington, in 1955. He received his master’s degree in education at the University of Maine, Orono, in 1960. Neil was hired as a teacher in Bath and taught mathematics and science at Bath Grammar School and Bath Junior High School until 1968. He coached basketball at the junior high school and later became assistant principal. In fall 1968 he was named teaching principal at Newell Elementary School, Bath, and later became principal of Newell and Dike schools. Neil retired from teaching in 1985 and assisted his wife, Mary, in running the Sandwich Shop, Vine Street, Bath, before selling the business to his sons, Jerry and Neil; and son-in-law, Jim. He was a loving spouse, father, and grandfather, known as “Beepa,” who loved and was devoted to his family, taking great pride in the accomplishments of every family member. He loved food, holiday gatherings, and all celebrations. In addition to his lifelong vocation as a school teacher and principal, Neil was a farmer and outdoorsman at heart, who enjoyed deer hunting and bird hunting. He ran a vegetable business selling to friends and colleagues in the Bath area for many years. He was a proponent of organic farming and recycling
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before they be came popular. During summers he also worked as a carpenter with several fellow teachers building houses, including his own home on Middle Road, Woolwich, in 1967. After retiring from teaching he became involved along with his uncle, Leonard Bishop, with Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development organization.
In addition to his own participation in sports as a college and later a semipro basketball player and softball pitcher in the Bath League, most of all Neil and his wife, Mary, were sports enthusiasts and loved following Morse High School sports, especially basketball. Neil and Mary received the first Morse Fan of the Year Award, which then carried their name. Neil also was a fan of New England sports teams, taking the family on many occasions to Fenway Park and Boston Garden to see the Red Sox and Celtics. He was a lector at St. Mary’s Parish, Bath, for many years and served on the parish council.
Neil was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary, in July 2001. He is survived by his six children, Lawrence and his wife, Sara Wright, of Woolwich, Gerald and his partner, Irene Wasielewski, of Topsham, Susan O’Dare and her husband, James, of Bath, Marcia Diamond and her husband, John, of Fayetteville, Ark., Timothy and his wife, Alane, of Woolwich, and Neil Jr. and his wife, Sherry, of Lisbon Falls; 10 grandchildren, Kelly Savage and Maria LaRochelle of Bath, Allison O’Dare and her fiance, Josh Marceau, of Turner, Jennifer O’Dare of Bath, John Diamond of Old Town, Sarah Diamond of Orono, Heather Crooker of Newburgh, Mary LaRochelle and Lora LaRochelle of Woolwich and Neil LaRochelle III of Lisbon Falls; great-granddaughter, Alyssa Savage of Bath; his sisters, Hilda Ryder-Shaw of Bangor, Gail Bridgham and her husband, Clifford, of Glenburn and Bette Craft and her husband, Tom, of Raleigh, Miss.
Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at Desmond Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at St. Mary’s Church, Lincoln Street, Bath. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Mary and Neil LaRochelle Scholarship Fund, which benefits Morse High School students enrolling at the University of Maine, care of Sarah McPartland-Good, University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469. To share your thoughts and condolences with Neil’s family, please visit
www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.