BIDDEFORD: Paul Raymond LaRochelle, 63, of Auburn passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at St. Andre nursing home in Biddeford, Maine. He was born in Lewiston, ME on September 10, 1954 the son of Donald and Anne (Albert) LaRochelle. Paul, the oldest of six, grew up in Lewiston, ME. At a young age, Paul enjoyed exploring the neighborhood and playing near Jepson Brook. In high school he developed a passion for photography and creating his own works of art. During his college years Paul met Susan Gordon and the two started their journey together; marrying October 12, 1982. You could often find him taking adventures around L/A in his beloved 1979 RX7, ZZAAPP. He also enjoyed bowling for various clubs, listening to Blondie, leading Boy Scout groups, going to the movies, or working on one of his wife’s many science or craft projects.
Paul took after his father and studied Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Maine Orono. Having spent many summers during high school and college as a land surveyor at Aliberti, LaRochelle and Hudson, Paul joined the firm full-time in the late 70s as an Engineer-in-training and went on to become a licensed Professional Engineer and eventual Vice-President of LaRochelle and Associates. During his time at the firm Paul worked on many projects, but he was most proud of his work to help renovate and expand the Lewiston Public Library in the mid-90s. Paul’s designs can be seen all across the state of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Connecticut and even in South Dakota. He was very proud of the work he accomplished. More recently Paul worked as a Structural Engineer at Alliance Construction in Scarborough, ME, then he independently ran and owned LaRochelle Engineering Services, then he moved on to work Russell and Dawson in CT, POET in South Dakota, and most recently at Coastal Engineering in Orleans, MA where he very much felt he was part of a family.
Paul is survived by his parents, Donald and Anne LaRochelle of Wells, his children; Erin Landry and her husband Seth of Vienna, ME, Ethan LaRochelle and his wife Kellie of West Lebanon, NH and Elizabeth-Anne LaRochelle of Auburn. He also leaves behind his siblings; Gary, Theresa, Jane, Steve and Patti along with his grandchildren; Teagan, Thatcher and Tyce, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Susan.
Condolences may be shared with Paul’s family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com
A memorial gathering and celebration of his life will take place at Fortin/Auburn on Sunday May 6, 2018 from 11-1pm. Casual & colorful attire encouraged. Interment will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lewiston at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group \ Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 217 Turner St. Auburn, 783-8545.
Those wishing, in lieu of flowers, may make a charitable contribution in his memory to The ALS Associations' Northern New England Community of Hope: Pauls PALS fund online or by check with a reference to “Pauls PALS (7775433)” in the memo, and mailing it to The ALS Association Northern New England Chapter, Attn: Community of Hope, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 438, Concord, NH 03301.
