Arthur (Leo) LaChance

Arthur (Leo) LaChance passed away in his home on October 4, 2023, at the age of 91. Arthur was born and raised in Richmond, Maine, by his father, Arthur John LaChance, and mother, Natalie (Meserve) LaChance. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1951 and promptly joined the Navy. After the Navy, he attended Husson College in Bangor and graduated with a business degree in 1959. Arthur had a love for math – it wasn’t unusual for him to offer to do your taxes, even if you never asked. Arthur started his career as a teacher and coach at Old Orchard Beach High School and remained there until his retirement. Post-retirement, the Old Orchard Beach Varsity Baseball Field was dedicated to him as a testament to his commitment to the town, the school, and the art of coaching.

Arthur was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, clamming, foraging, and passed this love onto his descendants. When he wasn’t at home, you could find him at Barker’s Pond, where for close to 60 years, he and his family welcomed guests from all over to camp, swim, boat, fish, play horseshoes, or compete in a rambunctious game of wiffle ball.

Even with his marked career and contributions to the Old Orchard Beach community, Arthur’s greatest accomplishment, by far, was marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (Bishop) LaChance. Married for over 60 years, they produced the greatest legacy a man can leave behind – a family that has grown with time, in physical size and in love.

He and Carolyn are survived by seven children: Linda McPherson and husband, Paul McPherson of Hampden, Maine; Arthur (Leo) LaChance, Jr. of Biddeford, Maine; George LaChance and wife, Stacey LaChance of Calabash, North Carolina; Larry LaChance and wife, Bonnie LaChance of Dayton, Maine, who opened their home and care to Arthur in his final years; Alma Shevenell and husband, Leonard Shevenell of Brunswick, Maine; Laura Bolduc and partner, Maryellen Moore of Summerfield, Florida; and Thomas LaChance and wife, Jocelyn LaChance of Lyman, Maine. The LaChance family has been fortunate to welcome 23 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren into the fold.

Arthur is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn LaChance; his sisters Shirley Sullivan and Carole Ryan; and grandchildren Shelby Bolduc and Ryan LaChance.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, October 10, from 4-7pm at Dennett, Craig and Pate in Saco, Maine. A memorial service will be held at St. Margaret’s Church in Old Orchard Beach on Wednesday, October 11 at 11am.

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