JP Normand LaPlante

Lewiston – JP Normand “Norm” LaPlante, 89, passed peacefully on September 27, 2025, with his wife by his side. Born in Lewiston and a proud graduate of Lewiston High School’s Class of 1955, Norm lived a BIG life. To civilian friends and family he was Norm, but to his brothers and sisters in service he was JP.

From a young age, Norm was deeply passionate about service. He wore many uniforms over his lifetime: two years in the Marine Corps Reserve, four years in the U.S. Air Force, two years in the Army Reserve, and seventeen years in the Maine Army National Guard, where he retired in 1996. His dedication to fellow servicemen continued as President of the Maine Army National Guard Enlisted Association and as a lifelong member of the American Legion, Franco American War Veterans, and Sampson AFB Veterans.

Norm’s commitment to community was just as strong. He spent years on PTAs, parent-teacher clubs, and booster groups, always supporting his daughters’ schools. He served the Sabattus Police Department, chaired both the Sabattus and Union 44 School Committees, and represented his community in the Maine State Legislature for six years, four of them as Chairman of the Local and County Government Committee. Later, he was elected to the Sabattus Charter Commission, Select Board, Sanitary District, Water and Sewer District, and more. He also served as Emergency Management Director for Sabattus and chaired numerous committees from building the town gazebo to running the Fun Festival. Norm believed in showing up and getting things done, and his community is stronger for it.

His professional life spanned more than 30 years in sales, management, and logistics followed by 18 years as a Realtor. He served on the Androscoggin Valley Board of Realtors (including as President from 2003 to 2005), the Maine Association of Realtors Convention Committee, and chaired Realtor tournaments for a decade. He was also appointed twice by governors to serve as a Consumer Representative on the Maine State Board of Optometry.

Norm gave his time generously to causes he cared about, serving on the boards of the Lewiston-Auburn Sexual Assault Center and Anti-Drug Coalition, leading the Sabattus Regional Credit Union Board, and serving as Treasurer and Vice-President of Network L/A. For 20 years he also brought joy as President of “JUST US” Entertainers, a nonprofit musical troupe.

Above all else, Norm was a devoted father. From the time his daughters were born, he took joy in being deeply involved in their lives. He was proud of every milestone, from school events to professional accomplishments, and he never missed an opportunity to cheer them on. Norm often said he was meant to raise daughters, and he embraced that role with enthusiasm, love, and unwavering support. His greatest legacy will be the love he poured into his family and the pride he carried in their lives.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 64 years, and mother of his two daughters, Mary Ann (McGillicuddy) LaPlante, who passed in 2021. Together they built a family grounded in love, laughter, and tradition.

Norm is survived by his wife of 14 months, Dorothy Cote; his daughters Sharon Harrison and her husband Robert of Richmond, MA, and Susan LaPlante-Dube and her husband Larry Dube of Oakland, ME; and his grandchildren Kevin Cote, Madeleine LaPlante-Dube, Noah LaPlante-Dube, and Ethan LaPlante-Dube, his sisters Doris Surette, Jackie Asselin, Rita Milliken , and his brother Don LaPlante, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extensive extended family.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 13 from 4 to 8 PM - The Fortin and Pinette Group 305 Alfred A Plourde Parkway, Lewiston Maine with a graveside service and military honors on Friday, November 14 at 1 PM - Maine Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Travis Mills Foundation, supporting post-9/11 veterans, their families, and their caregivers you may give online at https://www.classy.org/give/206843/#!/donation/checkout. Under the amount select “dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone.” Or send checks to Travis Mills Foundation, 647 Castle Island Road, Mt. Vernon, Maine 04352.