John P. LaPointe

Winslow – John LaPointe, 66, of New Florence, PA passed away August 8, 2016 at his mother’s home in Winslow, Maine with his family at his side. John passed away from complications related to illnesses acquired while working at Ground Zero (911).

He was the son of Leo P. LaPointe and Lucille Deschaine LaPointe of Winslow. John attended Winslow schools, St John’s, and graduated from Winslow High School in 1969. He continued his education and attended William Penn College, graduating in 1973.

While at Winslow High School, John played three sports: football, basketball and baseball with football becoming his passion. John was given the nickname “The Rock” by his peers for his tough play on the gridiron. Special thanks go out to Coach Wally LaFountain for helping him mature and excel at the game he loved so much.

After high school he attended William Penn where he received a full scholarship to play football. During his tenure there John was chosen 1st Team All American on defense at his position. Also, he and his teammates won the National Championship at the Dodge City Bowl. After graduating he played one more year of football in the Canadian Football League then retired due to injuries. In 1974 John became the Head Football Coach at MCI. In his first and only year coaching, John guided the Huskies to the Class D High School Championship.

Soon after leaving football for good, John found another passion in the trades profession. He went back to school and became a member of the International Association of Iron Workers. He travelled all over the United States and other parts of the world to work.

When John wasn’t working he loved to go fishing, hunting and antiquing. His favorite was fishing in the Rangeley Lakes Region. He also loved coming home in July to celebrate his father’s birthday and again during the holidays to eat his mother’s tourtiere pies. John also enjoyed attending his class reunions to see classmates and some of his teachers.

John is survived by his mother Lucille; his brother Stan and his wife Celeste; his niece Jessica Poulin and her husband Jared of Winslow; his nephew Joshua LaPointe of Boston, MA; his niece Amanda LaPointe of Garfield, NJ; his great-nephew Jace Poulin and his great-niece Joslyn Poulin both of Winslow. He was predeceased by his father Leo LaPointe in May 2016.

Special thanks go to the hospice team of Kathy, Jess and Dawn. Special thanks to Kenny Quirion. Also, to his very good friends Violette, Ron and Smokey, all of Florence, PA and to Matt with the World Trade Center Fund.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Friday August 19, 2016 from 6-8 pm at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 9:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of John’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

In lieu of flowers, John has asked those who wish, to make donations in his name to: Family Violence Project, PO Box 304, Augusta, ME 04332

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The following is Fr. Dan's homily at John's Funeral Mass on Saturday August 20, 2016

Life is a mystery to be lived,

not a problem to be solved.

As we gather to honor John,

who was taken so soon from this life

as we know it,

we are very personally aware

of how mysterious our lives are.

Times of joy and times of pain;

times of blessing, times of trial.

We ask the why questions

about the meaning of life,

about the meaning of God’s life in us.

The experience of John’s death

begs us to ask these questions

with more intensity and urgency.

And in some ways death

helps us to clarify the meaning of life.

This is the story of the two disciples

who trudge their way to Emmaus.

They have experienced the death of Jesus

and are trying to make sense of his life,

a life that ended so soon and tragically.

Somehow, it didn’t work out as they had hoped.

His death didn’t fit what they had imagined

the direction of his life to be.

Then Jesus joins them on their journey

and opens their minds.

When he explains the Scriptures to them,

they understand the truth:

His death is what makes sense of his life.

Then Jesus shares with them

the meal that celebrates the meaning

of his life and death

and their eyes are opened.

They are able to return to Jerusalem

with the one piece of knowledge

that makes living the mystery possible:

Jesus had been raised from the dead.

He lives forever. And because he lives,

we shall live with him forever.

All of us walk the Emmaus path.

All the way we search for meaning,

for life, for love.

John walked such a path.

He welcomed the Spirit of Jesus

in his own way:

in his family and friends,

in nature and the out-of-doors,

through his enjoyment of sports.

He welcomed Jesus

in his unceasing care for the underdog;

in his self-giving, self-sacrificing response

toward violence and terrorism.

He welcomed Jesus

in the worship and work and play

that family and friends shared together.

The Miracle of the Greatest Love Story Ever Told,

The Mass, that we offer for John this morning

is the meal of the Lord’s presence.

Here the Lord wants to open our eyes

and hearts to knowing that John lives.

Because Jesus is the Lord of the living,

we trust that John lives

with the Risen Lord for all eternity.

“As truly as we shall be in the bliss of God without end, so truly have we been in the foresight of God, loved and known by him as part of his eternal plan from without beginning. In his timeless love he made us, and in the same love he protects us, and never allows us to be hurt in any way which would diminish our eternal bliss.

When the Judgment is announced and we are all brought up above, then we shall clearly see in God the mysteries which are now hidden from us. We shall truly see that everything has been done just according to God’s good purposes before anything was made.”

Julian of Norwich, 14th Century Christian Mystic

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much dawned on humankind what God has ready for those who love him.

John was life.

He absorbed it; He shaped it.

He gave it selflessly.

He inspired it non-judgmentally

with care and concern for others.

He accepted challenge

with goodness and grace.

John sought to do the right

and to love goodness,

and to live humbly with his God.

Together they made miracles happen.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly

where you are meant to be.

May you not forget

the infinite possibilities

that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts

that you have received

and pass on the love

that has been given to you.

May you be content

knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.

It is there for each and every one of you.

Prayer of St Theresa of Avila

Who says the world

isn’t a pretty good place?

Maybe people need to look a little closer. Because if you really look,

you’ll see a place that’s good and kind.

A place where a smile

can change everything.

Oh, and when your thoughts wander my way,

just smile for that is what I return to you.