Andre' Lester LaRochelle

Andre’ Lester LaRochelle, beloved husband of Barbara (LaMonica) LaRochelle of Burlington, CT, passed away on January 26, 2022.

Born on February 2, 1937, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, he was the son of the late Raymond and Leanna (LeBlanc) LaRochelle. Early the family lived in Frog Hollow, involved in St. Anne’s Church and the Parochial Grammar School, and interacting with the French community. The family lived on the third floor on York St., and had a small grocery store nearby on Zion St., near Park. While quite young, Andre’ and his older brother enjoyed working there because they were helping their loving parents. In time, father and mother bought a house on Hillside Avenue, just past Flatbush which was a blessing to all.

Andre’ went to Buckley PHS and had to get up very early every morning as a paperboy for the Hartford Courant. In his third year at Buckley, he enlisted in the Connecticut Air National Guard serving in medical administration.

Andre’ was grateful that he was admitted to Trinity College. He worked evenings at Hartford Hospital as a Medical Technician on N9R to cover expenses. After graduating with his BA degree, he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Air Force Medical Service Corps while still in the Connecticut National Guard.

After college, he worked at The Travelers Insurance Company in Pensions until he entered active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He was assigned to the Hospital at England Air Force Base in Louisiana.

He had been married for a few years when he received orders to report to a remote counter insurgency site in the Nakhon Phanom Thailand (not far from Laos) at the 56th Air Force Dispensary. His only child, a daughter, was born halfway through his tour.

The next assignment was to join the faculty at the Air Force Medical Services School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, with his wife and daughter.

For the family, he left the Air Force to accept a two-year stipend to L.S.U.’s School of Social Work. He was Class President at graduation for his master’s degree in social work.

The Louisiana Department of Hospitals selected him to open an Alcoholism and Family Services in Shreveport. It turned out to be most effective and enjoyable. After a few years, he decided to leave that clinic to open a Catholic Family Services Agency in Shreveport for the Bishop, providing counselling and adoption services. He was quite happy to be able to attend Mass daily and was a Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Andre’ had served on the Louisiana State Board of Certified Social Work Examiners for several years, including one as President. In 1979, he was elected “Louisiana Social Worker of the Year”. He continued working for the Diocese but then received a request from the Air Force Reserves, that he was familiar with as he had, in times, been active with them. He was asked to represent team at “The Defense Opportunity Management Institute” at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. He accepted and joined the faculty. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel halfway through this assignment. He received the “Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal” from the Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger.

At a later date, Andre’ was returned from the U.S. Air Force “having served faithfully and honorably.”

In 1984, Andre’ had returned to Connecticut and opened “The Gables of Devenwood” in Farmington as the Executive Director. He was overjoyed at its success with seniors finding comfort and joy. Also, around that time, he had married his love, Barbara, who enriched his life all of these years.

Later, Andre’ returned to his favorite profession as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). At age 76, he retired from Hartford Hospital (Institute of Living).

Andre’ was always a kind and understanding person who found pleasure when he could help others have happier life.

Besides his wife, Barbara of 35 years, he leaves his daughter, Lauren and her husband Budge Cutrera, as well as his grandson Joseph of Cohutta, Georgia, his niece Janine LaRochelle and her spouse Pam Libby of Florida; Andre’ younger sister Rhea and her husband Anthony Lettiere of West Hartford, and their children, nephew Chris and his wife Moira Lettier of Florida, niece Jane Marie and her husband David Torlai of Torrington; nephews Daniel and his wife Elain Lettiere of Mystic, CT.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT. Final military honors will be accorded at the end of the Mass at St. Peter Church. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota 57770.

Condolences may be sent to Andre’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com