Robert LaPré

Norwich — Robert D. LaPré, 96, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018.

Born in Norwich, on Jan. 8, 1922, he was the son of the late Delphis and Yvonne (Duhamel) LaPré.

On May 6, 1944, he married Doris St. Lawrence while on leave from the U.S. Army, prior to his departure to Europe. Before his entry into the Army, he worked as a courier for Western Union and as a machinist for Pratt & Whitney. In 1943, he entered the U.S. Army and was accepted into the Army Air Cadet program and was later transferred to the infantry as a light machine gunner. Landing on the shore of France in 1944, he was a soldier in General Patton’s Third Army, 4th Armored Division. Upon his return to the States, he started his family and worked for SNET for 30 years before retiring. He will truly be loved and remembered by all who knew him.

Robert was predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Doris, on March 18, 2018. He was also predeceased by his parents; and sister, Una “Peg.”

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Foley (Robert); his son, Donald LaPré (Angela) of Bozrah; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; his brother, Donald (Jocelyne); his sister-in-law, Rita; 12 nieces and nephews; and many grand-nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at the Woyasz & Son Funeral Service, 141 Central Ave., Norwich. Following the visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Norwich.