Roland A. LaPlante

Roland A. “Pretty” LaPlante, 96, of Auburn, died at home on Friday March 15, 2024.
He leaves his wife of 73 years, Doreen E (Brouillette) LaPlante; a sister Pauline Chagnon of Millbury and a brother-in-law Robert Ramian of Worcester.  

Roland was born in Worcester son of Dorit and Zelia (Boulay) LaPlante.  His daughter Paula (LaPlante) Doherty died in 1976, and his son Craig LaPlante died in 2020.  He was also predeceased by two brothers, Leo and Raymond LaPlante, and five sisters, Marie Villnave, Agnes Mahan, Celia Rhodes, Roseann Stepanauskas, and Helen Kelley.
Roland also leaves three granddaughters, Kelly (Doherty) Wharton who cared for him in his older years and her husband Derek, Lauren (LaPlante) Tripp and her husband Jeff, and Justine LaPlante; seven great-grandchildren that he adored: Rylie, Kailin and Jack Wharton, McKayla, Hunter, and Cole Tripp, and Addison Wainwright; and his friends and neighbors Ralph and Buffy.
Roland has lived in Auburn for 70 years and was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish.

He was a roofer by trade and owned LaPlante and Son Roofing Company with his son Craig.
Roland was a proud World War II Army veteran and loved sharing his stories of his time in the military.  He was one of the oldest World War II veterans in the area.

He loved traveling with his wife and friends.  He enjoyed yearly hunting and fishing trips with the guys.  He was an avid fan of all New England sports.  He enjoyed watching his great-grandson Jack play baseball and his great-granddaughters dance most of all.

Roland was a member of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post 435 and the American Association of Retired Persons.  Roland will be missed dearly by all.
Calling hours are Tuesday, March 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Sr., Worcester.  The funeral Mass will be Wednesday, March 20, at 11 a.m. in St. Bernard’s Church, 228 Lincoln St., Worcester.  Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roland’s memory may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.