Danny LaChance

Daniel H. LaChance, 48, of Springvale, passed away on June 28th after an amazing, valiant and strong fight against abdominal asbestos cancer. Dan never complained from the day of his diagnosis. His treatments were all trial and error and hopefully help others someday. He has been an inspiration to many as he continued to be at his business almost every day up until the last month of his life. He was always positive even though the odds were stacked against him. His favorite quote to everyone was "It's all going to be good."Dan was born in Sanford on March 28, 1959, a son of Paul A. and Marguerite (Rivard) LaChance. He was a 1979 graduate of Sanford High School and a 1980 graduate of Wyoming Technical College in Laramie, WY.He began his working career at Jagger Bros., Inc. after graduating from college. He was there for 18 years before retiring as plant manager. He then purchased his father's Citgo station in Springvale. He grew that from a small station to a very busy operation offering many services. During this time he also started LaChance Bros. Towing. In 2003, he and his wife purchased the Sunoco station in Springvale which he worked very hard to grow as well, providing the full range of services it offers today.Dan's 48 years here may not seem like enough, but he lived them all to the fullest. He made many friends that he enjoyed so much. He loved his customers and would do anything for them day or night without hesitation. For over 20 years he was a proud member of the Sanford Call Fire Department. This was a passion that began when he was 18. This was truly his second family. He worked his way up through the ranks, retiring as Captain when he could not give the 110% effort he always had, due to his growing business. He received awards and commendations during his time in the department. He was a proud graduate of the 1994 Maine Fire Academy. In 1998 he was chairman of the State of Maine Annual Fire Convention hosted by the town of Sanford. He was a past member of the Sanford Kiwanis Club, the NAPA Auto Care Association, and was a member of the Springvale Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree. He loved the outdoors, snowmobiling, skiing and fishing. The summers spent at the Jagger family cottages on Mousam Lake were especially dear to him. He will forever be there with his family every summer.Dan loved his family with all his heart and soul and wanted to do as much together as possible all the time. Everything from eating Sunday night dinner with his extended family to going on family cruise vacations, to spending summer vacations on Martha's Vineyard with treasured friends that were family to him. He was there to watch his daughter play field hockey, cheer her on at horse shows and everything in between. He supported his wife in everything she did and helped her in countless ways with all of her volunteer commitments. He was a true family man, kind and generous business man and an avid supporter of the community.Dan is survived by his loving wife Kimberly Jagger LaChance, his precious "sweetie" daughter Ashley Victoria LaChance, his parents Paul and Marguerite LaChance, sister Pauline McCoy and her husband Dale, brother Norman LaChance and his wife Beth, sister Janet Meyerhoff and her husband Ladd, brother Robert LaChance, and by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, C. Thomas and Judith S. Jagger who thought of him as a son, sister-in-law Kathryn Brock and her husband Adam, devoted nephew Jonathan Brock, and his faithful cocker spaniel, Tucker.Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 4-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy as asked to consider Hospice of Southern Maine, 901 Washington Ave. Suite 104, Portland, ME 04103-9864, as they were wonderful to Dan. To send the family a message of condolence, please use the Condolences tab at left.