Orient Eric Laplante

Orient ("O") was born and raised in Fall River, MA, the son of Marion P. and Orient Laplante. He was a devoted friend and mentor to many and will be loved and remembered from coast to coast for all his good works over 91 years.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War as a special agent in the USAF Office of Special Investigations. He graduated Columbia University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, worked at Markite on rocket systems for the Apollo 11 first lunar landing, and was Engineering Manager for Stanley Tools in Newark, NJ and later in Shaftsbury, VT until his retirement.

He met and married the love of his life, Rose C. Laplante, in 1953. "Ro" and "O" raised their family in Waldwick, NJ. He was a longtime member of the Lion's Club, and president of the Waldwick Pistol and Rifle Club, where he enjoyed competitive target shooting. He was the first male Girl Scout Senior Troop leader in Bergen County, and active in the Boy Scouts. In Cambridge, NY, he was a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at The Church of the Open Bible, and was proud to obtain his private pilot's license and loved flying and attending organ recitals. He spent many summers sailing with his wife on the waters of Rhode Island and retired to his childhood home in Portsmouth.

He is pre-deceased by his wife of 49 years, Rose C. Laplante, eldest daughter, MarionRose Laplante Fischer, brother Paul Laplante and sister Elizabeth (Pepper) Beaulieu. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Antoinette (Toni) and Thomas Kohut, son and daughter-in-law, Orien Paul and Christine Laplante, and Damani Moyd, Greg Carbone, in-laws Sandi Raspante and Bill Wishart, John Carlisi and Polly Nyberg, Lisanna Laplante, grandchildren Alex Kohut, Kyle and Kate Kohut, Orien Rose and Artemis Marie Laplante, Gio Carbone, great grandchildren Tristan and Caleb Kohut, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life later in the year, in Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ronald McDonald's Family Room at Hasbro Children's Hospital, 45 Gay Street, Providence, RI 02905. https://rmhprovidence.org/our-house/family-room/