Richard John LaPlante

Mr. Richard John “Dicky” LaPlante passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach, FL. He was born on September 28, 1945, in Dighton, MA. Richard was a 1963 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton, MA and attended evening classe at Stonehill College in Stoughton, MA. He served with the US Navy from 1963 to 1966 as an Aviation Electrician with the RVAH recon squadrons. He married his high school sweetheart in 1966 upon his discharge from active service. He was employed by Raytheon prior to becoming a union carpenter. He had his own contracting business until 1980 when he became a firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department where he served his city with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2004. Richard enjoyed carpentry, puttering in his yard and just watching the grass grow. He enjoyed being “Mr Fix-it”. He enjoyed being a dad and loved his sons unconditionally, adored his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0054 in Fernandina Beach, FL. He also was involved with Cub Scout Pack 6 in Taunton and Boy Scout Troop 45 in Dighton, MA when his sons were growing up. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra J (daCosta) LaPlante, his 2 sons; Jayson LaPlante and his wife Sondra (Clemmey) LaPlante and their children Shawna, Jake and Ryan LaPlante of Taunton, MA and his son Michael LaPlante of Newton, MA. Preceded in death by his parents Armand and Lillian (Bilodeau) LaPlante. He is also survived by a sister Constance Jenney and her husband Robert of Lancaster, MA and a brother George LaPlante and his wife Abby of Ocala, FL., 2 nieces; Donna (LaPlante)Burch, Cheryl (Jenney) McCarthy and 3 nephews; Brian Jenney, Stephen LaPlante and David LaPlante. Richard also leaves behind 6 Godchildren who were all very special to him. He was predeceased by his life-long friend Edward Riendeau and leaves behind his Best Friend Ted Hamlin. He also leaves behind many who considered him a good friend and a real gentleman. A memorial mass will be held at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission Church, 86000 St Francis Way, Yulee, FL (off A1A) January 5, 2017 at 10 a.m. A funeral mass will be held at St Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church on Spring St in North Dighton, MA, with interment at Cedar Knoll Cemetery in East Taunton, MA, at a later date in January 2017. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the First Coast Cancer Foundation, 10881 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223. Neptune Society is in charge of his arrangements.