Longtime Health Board Member LaBranche Dies at 95

Victor_LaBrancheLongtime Haverhill Board of Health member Dr. Victor “Doc” P. LaBranche, 95, passed away at home Tuesday, March 15, with his family and caretakers by his side.

He was a lifetime resident of Haverhill. LaBranche was one of four children born to the late Joseph and Dora LaBranche, graduating from Haverhill High School in 1938. He later graduated with a bachelor’s in Agriculture and Applied Science from Michigan State College in 1945 and received his Doctrine from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1946. He was also a long-time parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and was very devoted to his faith.

“Doc” achieved many things over his lifetime and worked well into his 90s. He operated a successful veterinary practice, served as the chief veterinarian for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for more than 40 years, and was the head veterinarian for the State Racing Commission for several years, covering Foxboro and Suffolk Downs raceways. He also operated an active farm in Kingston, N.H., until 2011 and served as a volunteer for the Topsfield Fair for more than 75 years, having received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. In addition, he was a very active member of his community, serving as a member of the Haverhill Board of Health until 2015 and also as a member of the East Parish Neighborhood Association.

LaBranche was predeceased by his first wife Mary (Blaisdell) LaBranche and later by his second wife Louise (Folsom-Perry) LaBranche. He is survived by two sons and one step-son: James B. LaBranche of Marlborough, Richard LaBranche of Kingston, N.H., and Robert Perry of Titusville Fla. He is predeceased by one son and one step-son: the late V. Philip LaBranche and David Perry; grandchildren James LaBranche of Billerica, Lisa Sullivan of Grafton, Tina Morse of Beverly, Robert Perry of Orlando, Fla., David Perry of North Conway, N.H., and Daniel Perry of Eastham; great-grandchildren Gabriele Morse, Timothy LaCroix, Harrison Moore, Dylan Franzoni, Carleigh Franzoni, Brady Sullivan and Caden Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews as well as countless other friends and family and caretakers Cindy and Roger Ryan of Plaistow, N.H.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours Sunday, March 20, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services begin Monday morning at 9, from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 at St. John the Baptist Church, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Main Street, Groveland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be sent to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 0180 or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 6 Cottage Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.

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