Murray L LaPlant Obituary (1929 - 2011)

Princeton – Murray Leyland LaPlant, 82, died August 25, 2011. He was born February 10, 1929 in Codyville, son of Therman A. and Albina H. (Cochran) LaPlant. On June 9, 1950, Murray married the love of his life, Lillian Frances (Brown) LaPlant and together they shared 61 years of marriage and raised two loving sons. In 1950, Murray started his own trucking business which because of his hard work and dedication is still in operation to this day. Even though he officially retired many times, Murray continued to work until 2010. He continued to give advice and support until August 25, 2011. Over the years, the business grew to include logging, chipping, gravel, cranberries and bark mulch. Murray was a demanding, caring and fair employer to many people. He believed that business done with a handshake was as binding as a contract and was always considered to be an honest businessman. Murray was a communicant of St. James the Greater R.C. Church in Baileyville, a member of the Grand Lake Stream Historical Society, Princeton Rod & Gun Club and the St. Croix Wanderers, Anah Temple Shrine in Bangor and Lewy’s Island Lodge #138 A.F. & A.M. Murray loved camping and had wonderful memories of trips to Alaska, Florida and the many state fairs where he watched hours and hours of horse pulling, which he introduced to his granddaughters and their children. He loved spending time in Aurora where he taught his grandsons to hunt and fish. He loved going to the Fryeburg Fair with Marion and Avon, playing cards and talking trips with Ivah and Chick, Raleigh and Joanne. Murray was very proud of graduating from Lee Academy in 1947 and often returned for the reunions. Murray is survived by his two sons, Ronald T. LaPlant and his wife Kathy, and Stephen M. LaPlant and his wife Cori, all of Princeton; his sister Ivah Daggett of Princeton and his brother Raleigh and Joanne of Panama City, FL; his four grandchildren, Tara and her husband Michael Dwelley, Kristin and her husband Kristofor McAlpine, Matthew and his wife Megan LaPlant, and Nathan LaPlant and his girlfriend Eryn Crowe; his great-grandchildren Tyler and Ian LaPlant, Colin, Cameron and Landon Dwelley and Ryan McAlpine; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marion Staples of Grand Lake Stream, and brother-in-law William Tracy and wife Joan of Charlotte. In addition to his parents, Murray was predeceased by his wife Lillian F. (Brown) LaPlant and an infant daughter, Lucy Marie LaPlant. Visiting hours will be held 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 29, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father James Plourde 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, at St. James the Greater R.C. Church in Baileyville. Burial will take place at the Princeton Cemetery, followed by a time at the Princeton Rod & Gun Club. If you wish to make a donation, please send to the Grand Lake Stream Historical Society, PO Box 52, Grand Lake Stream, ME 04637, or the American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. We encourage everyone to participate by donating blood in Murray’s memory at the upcoming blood drive, held by the American Red Cross at the Calais Regional Hospital.