Bernard LaRocque Obituary

SWANTON - Bernard G. LaRocque, age 98, passed away on July 11th, 2025, at Homestead Senior Living in St. Albans, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born on September 19th, 1926, in Swanton, VT to the late Ernest and Georgianna (Hamel) LaRocque.

Bernard married his wife, Therese (Villemaire) on September 22nd,1951. Bernard was an active member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, where he served as a chairperson for several activities. Including St. Anne's Academy School Board, founding member of the CCD program under the direction of Rev. Daniel Lyons, and served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

Bernard enlisted in the United States Air Force and after completing the aircraft mechanics school of Keesler Field in Missouri, he was transferred to Amarillo Texas for a 6-week 12/29 transition school. He later transferred to the ETO Occupation Force assigned to the 508 Troop Carrier group. While in Europe, he had several assignments. The latest assignment was to the Defendants Information Center as AE on Chief Fiester's aircraft at the Nuremburg Military Tribunal.

Following his military service, he attended Saint Michaels College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1951. After 33 years of service, he retired from energizer as a general foreman. After retirement, he continued his lifelong hobbies of designing and building custom furniture and photography.

Bernard is survived by his children, Johanne LaRocque, Donald LaRocque, Suzanne Lord and her husband Bruce, Normand LaRocque, and his wife Debra, Marianne Rainville and her husband Luke, Louanne Collins and her husband Myron, Pierre LaRocque and his wife, Megan; grandchildren, David LaRocque and his wife Krista, Daniel LaRocque and his wife Jennifer, Danna Traucht and her husband Abe, Hailey Sparacino and her husband Thomas, Kelcey Peterson, Mason Lord and his partner, Katie, Kylie Ashton an her husband Kyle, Michelle Frey and her husband Caleb, Nicole Rainville, Morgan Rainville and his partner, Shea, Sean Collins, Jake Collins and his wife Alexis, and Angilene LaRocque; and many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bernard was pre-deceased by his wife, Therese LaRocque; siblings, Gloria Hoague and her husband Jim, Francis LaRocque and his wife Cecile, and Sylvia "Tizzy" LaRocque; and daughter-in-law, Donna LaRocque.

Friends and family are invited to Bernard's life celebration to include visitation from 4-7:00 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Church of the Nativity, 65 Canada Street, Swanton, VT. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Swanton.

For those who wish, contributions in Bernard's memory may be made to the Homestead Senior Living Facility, 64 Harbor View Dr, St. Albans City, 05478, along with the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, Chapter #7669, CO, Church of Nativity, 65 Canada Street, Swanton, VT 05488

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com