Christopher John LaRochelle, 53, passed away on May 15 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a sudden, brief illness. Chris was the beloved son of Ronald and Cecile (Guimond) LaRochelle of Marion. Born on April 1, 1967 in New Bedford, he was a ’85 graduate of ORRHS and a talented carpenter by trade.

Chris was an accomplished home cook and particularly enjoyed preparing complicated recipes for family gatherings, much to the delight of everyone in attendance. More recently, he cultivated an organic garden to support his cooking passion. He enjoyed researching best practices for cooking and gardening and never tired of teaching anyone what he had learned. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his delicious food, his quick wit, his ability to teach his old dog new tricks, his long and detailed memory and the funny stories with which he loved entertaining his family.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister Christine Payette and her husband Matthew of Dartmouth, his much-loved nephews and niece, Lucas, Simone and Eric Payette and extended family around the country.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a memorial mass is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Christopher LaRochelle to the Massachusetts General Hospital, Palliative Care Service Fund, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/

Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett