Obituary for Steven P. LaRochelle
It is with profound sadness that the family of Steven P. LaRochelle, 25, of Dalton, MA announce his passing on August 12, 2023, while surrounded by family and friends after injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born March 30, 1998, in Dalton, MA, the son of Paul LaRochelle of Peru, MA and Colleen Reagan LaRochelle of East Greenbush, NY.
Steve is survived by his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Taylor Jean Hebert LaRochelle, who he married on November 12, 2022, after courting her for eight years. He easily won her heart with his humor and charm. At 21 years old, they purchased their own home, which Steve always considered his “happy place.” They cultivated a life and little family of their own together with a beautiful love that was one-in-a-million and will surely transcend in time and space.
Besides his wife, Taylor, Steve is survived by his parents, Paul LaRochelle (Deana Krom) of Peru, MA and Colleen Reagan LaRochelle (Mark Beers) of East Greenbush, NY; his father-in-law, John David (JD) Hebert, and mother-in-law, Carolyn Marcel, both of Pittsfield, MA; his paternal grandparents, Bruce and Jeanne Zdanis, of Pittsfield, MA; his trusted dog, Bo; cats, Charlie and Frankie; several aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. Steve was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, William and Ann Reagan of Pittsfield, MA.
Steve graduated from Taconic High School in 2016 after receiving the Auto Body Career Technical Education Award and being selected to compete at SkillsUSA Massachusetts. He was a talented Auto Body Technician and was working at the family business, LaRochelle Auto Body, since 2014.
Steve was a second-generation dirt track racer and grew up with his second family at Lebanon Valley Speedway. He began racing competition go-karts at the age of 9 and earned over 50 wins, including the 2010 Dodge City Speedway Montenaro Cup and 2014 Lebanon Valley Kart Track Ironman Championship. At the age of 13, Steve entered the Lebanon Valley Speedway Pure Stock Car Racing division. He won his first Pure Stock race that same year and had 7 more wins in that division. At the age of 15, he moved into the Pro Stock Car Racing division and earned 14 wins. Steve was also presented with the 2014 Rookie of the Year award from the New York State Stock Car Racing Association. His fellow racers described him as gracious and big-hearted with talent behind the wheel as big as his personality.
Steve was a volunteer for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation where he raised thousands of dollars, participated in the annual Take Steps Walk in Westfield, MA, and helped individuals with Crohn’s Disease through Baystate Medical Center. He also volunteered for the Special Olympics.
Steve was fun-loving and lived life to the fullest. He brightened many lives around him with his kindness, compassion, big laugh, smile, and endless sense of humor. In his loving and generous spirit, Steve’s final act was to give the gift of life through organ donation. His wife and family are comforted in their loss knowing that others will be given a second chance thanks to his precious gifts. Although Steve took his final checkered flag on August 12, 2023, he would ask us all to remember him by smiling, laughing, and having fun.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colleen LaRochelle, c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, as the family plans to establish a memorial fund for an annual scholarship to a Taconic High School Auto Body Career Technical Education student in Steve’s memory.
Calling hours will be held at Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 Main Street, Dalton, MA on Wednesday, August 23rd from 4-7 pm. In addition, a memorial celebration will be held for Steve during the weekly racing events at Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, August 19, 2023.
Steve is survived by his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Taylor Jean Hebert LaRochelle, who he married on November 12, 2022, after courting her for eight years. He easily won her heart with his humor and charm. At 21 years old, they purchased their own home, which Steve always considered his “happy place.” They cultivated a life and little family of their own together with a beautiful love that was one-in-a-million and will surely transcend in time and space.
Besides his wife, Taylor, Steve is survived by his parents, Paul LaRochelle (Deana Krom) of Peru, MA and Colleen Reagan LaRochelle (Mark Beers) of East Greenbush, NY; his father-in-law, John David (JD) Hebert, and mother-in-law, Carolyn Marcel, both of Pittsfield, MA; his paternal grandparents, Bruce and Jeanne Zdanis, of Pittsfield, MA; his trusted dog, Bo; cats, Charlie and Frankie; several aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. Steve was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, William and Ann Reagan of Pittsfield, MA.
Steve graduated from Taconic High School in 2016 after receiving the Auto Body Career Technical Education Award and being selected to compete at SkillsUSA Massachusetts. He was a talented Auto Body Technician and was working at the family business, LaRochelle Auto Body, since 2014.
Steve was a second-generation dirt track racer and grew up with his second family at Lebanon Valley Speedway. He began racing competition go-karts at the age of 9 and earned over 50 wins, including the 2010 Dodge City Speedway Montenaro Cup and 2014 Lebanon Valley Kart Track Ironman Championship. At the age of 13, Steve entered the Lebanon Valley Speedway Pure Stock Car Racing division. He won his first Pure Stock race that same year and had 7 more wins in that division. At the age of 15, he moved into the Pro Stock Car Racing division and earned 14 wins. Steve was also presented with the 2014 Rookie of the Year award from the New York State Stock Car Racing Association. His fellow racers described him as gracious and big-hearted with talent behind the wheel as big as his personality.
Steve was a volunteer for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation where he raised thousands of dollars, participated in the annual Take Steps Walk in Westfield, MA, and helped individuals with Crohn’s Disease through Baystate Medical Center. He also volunteered for the Special Olympics.
Steve was fun-loving and lived life to the fullest. He brightened many lives around him with his kindness, compassion, big laugh, smile, and endless sense of humor. In his loving and generous spirit, Steve’s final act was to give the gift of life through organ donation. His wife and family are comforted in their loss knowing that others will be given a second chance thanks to his precious gifts. Although Steve took his final checkered flag on August 12, 2023, he would ask us all to remember him by smiling, laughing, and having fun.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colleen LaRochelle, c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, as the family plans to establish a memorial fund for an annual scholarship to a Taconic High School Auto Body Career Technical Education student in Steve’s memory.
Calling hours will be held at Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 Main Street, Dalton, MA on Wednesday, August 23rd from 4-7 pm. In addition, a memorial celebration will be held for Steve during the weekly racing events at Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, August 19, 2023.