Posted on 05/09/2018
Brian Paul Plourde, 57, formerly of Rockland, Houlton, and Waterville, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, due to complications from a stem cell transplant for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He fought an incredible battle with this disease, and he impressed us all with his unending positive attitude.
Brian was born on Aug. 3, 1960, in Waterville to parents, Carroll and Kathleen Sylvia Hamel Plourde. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1978. Brian was active in many sports throughout his childhood. Pursuing his passion for playing baseball, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and then on to the University of Maine at Orono, enjoying pitching for both school baseball teams. He especially enjoyed playing for Coach Winkin at Orono. Brian was an active member of the ATO fraternity at Orono and graduated with a B.S. in physical education. He loved his college life and enjoyed telling stories of friendships made and the shenanigans that went on, often embellishing these stories each time he told them. He had a very sociable personality and loved to make people laugh.
Brian started his teaching and coaching career in Houlton, settling down there and starting his family with his first wife, Kimberly Reardon. He had his hands in just about everything sports-related, from coaching to umpiring and refereeing. One of his finest projects was creating a Babe Ruth league and vastly improving Houlton's baseball facilities. This program had a profound impact on Houlton's youth for years to come. He was proud when he was able to take his basketball teams to the tournaments in Bangor. And because he loved to make every adventure fun, great times were had at the hotel when everyone from "The County" came down during tournament time.
He worked for MSAD 29 for 17 years before trying a new adventure as athletic director for RSU 13 in Rockland. His major goal for this new position was to improve the playing fields, doing most of the work himself. He quickly made friends in the area and discovered his love of the ocean. He was able to try his hand at hauling lobster traps and enjoyed being a part of the Lobster Boat Races.
Brian taught health, first at the high school and then more recently at Oceanside Middle School. He was also a coach to many students during this time.
He was often told that he missed his calling and would have made a fantastic teacher of special needs students. His rapport with the Life Skills students was outstanding. Every year he looked forward to volunteering at the Special Olympics.
Brian was well-known as a giving person. He loved helping others and giving back to every community he was a part of. His greatest volunteering endeavor was working in the food tent at the Lobster Festival for 14 years. More recently, he held the position of vice president for two years and then president of the festival for two years. Brian worked hundreds of hours for the organization. He recently stepped down from his position in order to enjoy a little free time in the summer with his current wife, Diane, whom he married in August 2015.
Brian enjoyed many hobbies and interests throughout the years. In addition to coaching, he enjoyed woodworking, traveling in his RV, listening to disco music, and spending time with family and friends.
Brian was immensely proud of his two daughters, Laura and Hannah, for all of their tremendous accomplishments. He was an incredibly loving father, husband, and friend, and he has left a deep void in all of our lives.
Brian was predeceased by his father, Carroll J. Plourde. He is survived by his mother, Sylvia Plourde, of Waterville; his wife, Diane (Gray), of Dresden; daughters, Laura Plourde and her fiancé, Joseph Boyington, of Topsham; and Hannah Plourde, of Baltimore, Md.; stepson, Matthew Snell and his wife, Ashley, of Westborough, Mass.; brothers, Daniel and his wife, Katrina, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and John and his wife, Iris, of Houston, Texas; sisters, Venessa Mondi and husband, Tony, of Hummelstown, Pa.; and Katherine Plourde, of Knoxville, Tenn. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was held Sunday, May 6, 2018, at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. Friends and family gathered at the Rockland Golf Club after the service to share stories about a life well-lived.
To share a memory or condolence with the Plourde family, please visit their Book of Memories at: www.bchfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to RSU 13 Special Olympics, 400 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841.
Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home Inc
110 Limerock St
Rockland, ME 04841
(207) 594-4212
Published in Central Maine on May 8, 2018