Longtime resident, Lions Club member, Navy veteran
John LaRochelle, 76, of Harvard died Oct. 16, 2013 at Emerson Hospital in Concord. He was born in Gardner on Dec. 7, 1936, son of the late Leo and Helen (Wainio) LaRochelle. He grew up on a farm in Groton, working there throughout his youth. Later he worked as a tree surgeon for Groton Tree Service and for Harvard Tree Service, retiring in 1992. John served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1958, spending some of that time in Lebanon.
John made his home in Groton for many years and moved to Harvard in 1980. He was a 30-year member of the Harvard Lions Club, serving as Lions Club president for several terms. John enjoyed helping people, took pride in his garden and window boxes, and in younger years enjoyed woodworking, boating, and fishing. He doted on his cats, Sunshine and Goldenboy, both of whom have now been adopted.
John is survived by many loyal friends.
The visiting hours and funeral service were held Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton. Burial was at Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Winchendon, Mass.
