Alan LaPlante

Alan M. LaPlante, 23, of Traverse City, MI, formerly of Norway, died tragically in an accident on Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Traverse City. Alan was born November 29, 1987 in Iron Mountain and lived most of his life in Norway. He graduated from the 8th grade at Norway Public Schools and finished his education in the special education classrooms of Mona and Steve. Life was not always easy for Al, coping with autism and bi-polar disorder, but he fought his demons as best he could. Al participated in Special Olympics and won many blue ribbons in swimming. Even though he hated the color blue, he was proud of his first place finishes. The past year, Al had made an independent life for himself living in a group home in Traverse City. He was very happy in his new home and had just started a new job as a janitor. He thought cleaning toilets was fun. Try to remember that the next time you are cleaning. The “hundreds and hundreds of dollars” he was making probably helped too. Al had a great sense of humor and loved bad jokes. He enjoyed building things with his dad and always looked forward to a trip to the casino where he always won. Al also enjoyed volunteering at the Salvation Army and wanted to be an organ and tissue donor. Shed a tear for the loss of such a precious life too soon, but mostly remember the laughter, the twisted sense of humor and the love he had for us all. “ANYTHING ELSE NEW THERE MOM?” Just that we will miss you so much Al and will love you forever. “OK, GOODNIGHT.” Al leaves his parents, Linda and Dana LaPlante of Norway, who were so proud of the young man he turned out to be. Al cared so much about his family and friends. He also leaves his loving grandparents, Arlene and Glenn Butterfield of Iron Mountain, who Al loved going to camp with and playing poker with, most of the time winning all of the pennies. Also surviving are his gramma, Alice Brault of Sebring, FL, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and so many other people that cared so much about him. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Memorial services will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Joe Basso will officiate. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Al’s memory. Condolences to the family of Alan LaPlante may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Alan LaPlante

June 9, 1988 - June 9, 2011