Salem: Albert A. LaChapelle age 82, husband of Marilyn (Leclerc) LaChapelle with whom he shared 57 years of marriage, died in his home in Salem on Friday, October 20, 2006, surrounded by his family.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Albert J. and Delina (Levesque) LaChapelle. A graduate of Salem High Class of ’42, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served in the European Theater with the 313th Infantry. He participated in the invasion of Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton where he was critically wounded. Al served as an interpreter and participated in the liberation of German labor camps. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre, for bravery, from the French Government.
Following the war, he returned to Salem and worked in the leather industry for the next 15 years, before joining Lynn Sand & Stone Co. in 1958 and was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 42. Following his retirement in 1985, he worked as a security guard for the Essex Institute. A lover of history with an abiding respect for the past, Mr. LaChapelle was thrilled to serve as the Sexton for the First Church in Salem for 10 years, before failing health forced him to retire once again. He was a member of the DAV, Post #84 and the VFW, Post 1524, both of Salem.
In addition to his devoted wife, he is survived by 3 daughters: Lynn Lavoie and her husband Gerard of Salem, Nancy Hereijgers and her husband Wilhelmus of Londonderry, NH, Laurie LaChapelle and her husband David Leach of Salem. He was the proud pepere of 9 grandchildren: James A. LaChapelle and his wife Laura of Freemont, NH, Brian Lavoie and his wife Leanne of Rowley, Stacey Abbatessa and her husband Mitchell of Danvers, Brett Lavoie of Arlington, VA, Julie Macsata and her husband Anthony of Peabody, Adriaan & Kristiaan Hereijgers of Londonderry, NH, Victoria & Nathaniel Leach of Salem. Al was also survived by 5 great-grandchildren, his sister Therese LeVasser of Miami, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Marc A. LaChapelle, a sister Madeleine Turner and 2 brothers: Jean-Paul and Charles LaChapelle.
His funeral will be on Wednesday at 8 am from the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem, followed by his funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Salem at 9 am. Visiting hours: Tuesday 4 to 8 pm. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem DAV, Post # 84, Salem, MA.