We have been sadly blessed with writing this tribute to our dad, a heartbreaking honor that we truly hope makes him proud. So, let's ride! 

 

Paul Norman LaRochelle, Senior Master Sergeant USAF (Retired), age 78, passed away peacefully and comfortably on February 7th, 2025, accompanied by the love of his children. 

 

An airman since 1964, he completed his basic training in Texas, next he moved on to Otis AFB. He ultimately transferred to Westover AFB in Chicopee, Massachusetts in the late 1970s to continue his dedication and service in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve. His career brought our family there from his hometown of Pittsfield MA. He taught us to be resourceful, strong, resilient and real.

 

In both life and work, he knew that it's the little things that are truly important. His job as the 439th TAW & 337th TAS life support section supervisor at Westover AFB allowed him to teach those "little things" as life-saving tips, techniques and tricks to aircrew members by providing them with critical knowledge, awareness and skills to survive and save themselves. Named Best in Wing as the 439th's Outstanding Senior NCO for 1984, his career left an indelible mark on the countless souls that he taught. He was devoted to them, he believed in them, allowing them to believe in themselves if a critical event were to happen. 

 

From weekday DOD duties to running UTA weekend training exercises at Dogpatch or Knightsville Dam in Massachusetts to his travels to pretty much every USAFB that exists; he had been there and done that and earned MSM, AFCM and AFAM distinction awards. He ate local bratwurst and drank Dinkelacker beer in Stuttgart, Germany, he went to Vietnam, Panama Canal, Greece, The Persian Gulf for Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and beyond. 

 

After his retirement in 2005, he continued to travel with us, making lasting memories. Shades of Green at Disneyworld, Fishing in Long Island Sound and Tuscany, Italy to name a few. He was a bit of a nomad, so we would visit him wherever he moved, North Port, FL, South Hadley, MA, Monroe, NH and Myrtle Beach, SC. In addition to our visits, he always made it a point to come back to visit his family, whether it was for the birth of both of his grandchildren, or just his annual two weeklong summer visits. He was always most content at home, with his dog, watching TV and cooking up whatever he was craving.

 

We are grateful for all of the moments we had together, the good food, good music, good times and many really great memories. His enthusiasm when he was having fun was contagious. He loved cooking chicken wings, traditional holiday meals, fishing, fish frying, Amazon delivery, hot weather, shared comfortable silences and warm blankets. Never afraid to speak his mind, he had zero tolerance for tv commercials, incompetence and tardiness. He was a complicated yet simple man. No nonsense & No B.S. 

 

He is reunited in passing with his parents, Norman & Catherine LaRochelle, his brother, Richard "Dicky" LaRochelle, and his sister, Catherine "Duck" Lawing, and his dogs; Norman, Toby, Lollie, Mandy. He is lovingly remembered by his surviving children. His son, Scott LaRochelle (Shannon) and his daughter, Jackie Sansone (Bill) and his two grandchildren, Ayla and Brayden. His Boston Terrier best friend, Rusty, will remain with family.

 

We called him Dad, G.P., Grandpa Paul, Dude and PapaLa. However, you knew him; O.B., Old Bastard, Paul, Mr. Paul, Sarge, Guy, Pops, Shakey Jake, or Senior Master Sergeant, he most certainly gifted us all with a massive list of memorable moments and eternally quotable phrases. 

 

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam MA. In lieu of flowers, we suggest that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization Dad regularly contributed to and felt strongly about. Now, sign out, let’s go to the cage!

 

Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is assisting the family with the arrangements.