Maurice Laplant

Maurice Laplant of Lyndonville died peacefully at his home on Saturday August 1, 2015 at the age of 93. He was born April 7, 1922 in Newark, VT to the late Percy and Glenna Laplant. After joining the Vermont National Guard at 18, he served in the Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater. He was one of 5000 servicemen who survived the sinking of the SS President Coolidge. Upon returning to Sutton, VT, he studied refrigeration and repaired milk coolers on local farms. On September 1, 1951, he married Thelma Pearce. The barn that he single-handedly built in Sutton is being considered for the historic register due to its unique silo construction. Maurice was a rural letter carrier in Sutton from 1952-1977 and continued maple sugaring and logging until he and Thelma retired to Florida in 1982. While in Florida, he learned scuba diving and enjoyed shrimping, scalloping, and hunting deer and wild boar. He and Thelma traveled extensively including trips to Europe, New Zealand, Alaska, and the Panama Canal. They returned to Vermont after 18 years to be closer to family.
Maurice was an avid hunter of deer and Canadian moose, and bagged the 2nd largest turkey in VT in 2001 when he was 79 years old. He enjoyed vegetable gardening into his late 80's.
He was a member of the Lyndon Institute class of 1940, but left early to enlist. He was proud to finally receive his diploma at his grandson's graduation in 2004.
He is survived by his five children: Loretta (and Garet) Nelson, Paula Laplant, Glenn (and Beth) Laplant all of Lyndonville, Martin (and Penny) Laplant of Poulsbo, WA, and Tony Laplant of Sutton. His 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren brought him much joy. He is also held dear by daughters-in-law Heidi and Joan, and son-in-law Billie. He taught his family they can accomplish anything with hard work, ingenuity, and determination.
He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years in 2013 and all of his brothers: Kenneth and wife Jean, his twin Merrill and wife Bea, and twins Raymond and Roland Laplant.
A public graveside service will be held at the Sutton North Ridge Cemetery on Thursday August 6, 2015 at 11AM. There will be no visiting hours. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Vermont Special Olympics, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403 in recognition of his lifetime dedication to his brothers Raymond and Roland. Memories and condolences may be shared privately @ wwwguibordfh.com. Cards can be mailed to the family at PO Box 104, Lyndon Center, VT 05850