Joseph ‘Roger’ Aurel LaChance

BANGOR – Roger, at the young age of 89, was given peace after suffering a long illness. Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in the wee hours of the morning, the angels came. They wrapped their wings around him, helping him to make his final journey home, to his beloved God in heaven. He was born in 1924.
He is survived by his wife of 43 1/2 years, Robertine “Bobbie” (Dumond) of Bangor; son, Jody LaChance and wife, Leslie, and grandson, Ethan of Atlanta; stepdaughters, Donna (Learnard) Gagnon and husband, Gene, of Waterville, and Peggy (Learnard) Fluet and partner, Joseph Hampson, of Waterville; stepson, Gary Learnard of Jacksonville, Fla.; four stepgrandchildren, Toby Gagnon and wife, Anne, of Portland, Bobbie Lynn (Gagnon) Morrissette and husband, Roger, of Vassalboro, Jaime (Gray) Atkins and husband, David of Dallas, and Amy Gagnon and partner, Travis Clark, of Waterville; three stepgreat-granddaughters, Kiara and Kylee Morrissette and Hope Gagnon; brother, Roland and wife, Joan, and family; two sisters, Yolande (LaChance) Campo and family and Carmen (LaChance) Colyer and family; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Ernest J.; mother, Lydia M. (Blais); brother, the Rev. Marcel LaChance; brother-in-law, Sal Campo; two nephews, Robert and Joe Campo; and niece, Anne Marie Campo. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to his family physician, Dr. Gary Ross, to Dr. Walsh and the staff of the fourth floor and to the staff and doctors of the fifth floor at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bangor, Ross Manor/Waterman Rehab Center, Bangor, New Hope Hospice of Orrington, Amedisys Home Health Care and Gentiva Home Health Care for all the comfort and care provided to Roger during the past ten years of his life and in his last days on earth.
He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, dad, papa, uncle, mentor and friend. He was born in Lawrence, Mass., and raised in Cambridge, Mass., where he attended local schools. He learned early in life that he didn’t want to work with his hands, but with his mind. He always said it amazed him to watch a child’s eyes light up when given the right guidance, support and knowledge. He was a firm believer in ‘No child left behind.” He was a man of few words, much wisdom and sharp wit. His aspirations extended into the broadest spectrum of education. He attended four years of high school and ten years of college at Marist Prep, Bedford, Mass., The Marist Novitiate, Staten Island, N.Y., and the Marist College and Seminary, Framingham Center, Mass. He graduated with a degree in licentiate in philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended eight years at the Marist College and Seminary, Framingham Center, Mass., and Boston College, Boston, where he did his theological studies, receiving a Master of Arts degree in education. He spent the next 36 years attending the University of Maine, Orono, Boston University, Boston, Boston College, Boston, and Maine Principals Academy at Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield. He also attended numerous workshops and seminars throughout Maine. He spent the next 40 years as a teacher of Latin, world history, French, algebra, geometry, biology, general math and religion. He started and directed Adult Education in Mount Desert Island. He was a coach and athletic director for the baseball, basketball and football programs in Detroit and Woods, Mich., and was also a basketball sports referee in Maine. He spent 28 years as a principal or headmaster in the Maine school systems. During this time, he spent 19 of those years as a member of the Maine Principals’ Association Committee, one year with the State Department of Education and ten years on the New England Association of Schools and College Visitation Committees in Maine and New Hampshire. In April of 1984 he was published by the National Association of Secondary Schools Bulletin, “A Nation at Risk-A Principal’s Viewpoint.”
A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. July 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ohio Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Frank Murray officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place immediately after the Mass in the reception hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Committal prayers and a private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the church or charity of your choice.