Andre A. Plante

Andre A. Plante, 92, of Ashland OH, formerly of Fall River MA, passed away Saturday, October 16, 2021. He was the husband of the late Jacqueline C. (Gagnon) Plante. Andy was born in Fall River, the son of Arthur and Yvonne (Lecomte) Plante and had three older brothers, Bertrand, Gaston and Jean.

He was devoted to his parents, excelled in his studies and was the editor of the high school paper at Prevost High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy a month after graduating, and when his country asked for a second enlistment, he stepped up to the plate, serving over five years.

In his free time aboard ship Andy studied gemology by correspondence, his commanding officer was so impressed by his perseverance that he found him a tiny room in radio control, where he could have a quiet place to study. The following summer he stayed in New York City to do the gemology lab work, and became a lifelong Yankees fan. He then studied watchmaking in Boston, and joined the family business, Plante Jewelers. He was always proud of the longevity of the business that his father established and that he and his brother Gaston brought forward, which today is run by the third and fourth generations.

Andy met his sweetheart Jacquie through the French social circles of the day; matchmaking was at play and they fell in love. When they planned their honeymoon, they had enough money for a week in Bermuda, or a new car and two weeks in Canada. Being a thrifty young couple, they chose the latter. They were married for 63 years.

Andy was an active and life-long parishioner of St. Anne’s Church as an altar boy, he would get up at 5 a.m. to serve Mass and was tipped ten cents. He later served on several parish boards. He was a corporator at BayCoast Bank. In his later years Andy became involved with the St. Anne’s food pantry, a cause that was close to his heart.

Andy spent time off at the family cottage in Tiverton.  Although at first, Jacquie had to convince him that the cottage was a good idea for a growing family, he was a convert to cottage life, forever finding a project, and especially enjoyed working outdoors near the water.

Andy is survived by  his children: Pierre A. Plante and his wife Nancy of New Bedford, Denise Haag and her husband Donald of Ashland, OH, Jacques L. Plante of Havertown, PA and Monique Y. Plante and her husband Robert Caruso of Somerville, MA; grandchildren, Julian Plante (Keo), Marcel Plante, Jonathan Haag (Melinda), Stephanie Wells (Bradford), Alexandria Scarberry (Nathaniel), Jennifer Wilbur (Michael), Evan Plante (Lauren) and Christopher Plante; great-grandchildren, Ethan Haag, Emma Haag, Isla Wells, Louis Wells and Calvin Wilbur, Lucas Wilbur, Henry Plante and Peyton Pascale and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Marc R. Plante (Lisa). There will be a Mass in Ashland Ohio, followed by a Mass and celebration of his life at a future date in Fall River. If you would like to honor Andy’s memory, please consider a donation to the St. Anne’s Food Pantry, 858 Middle Street, Fall River MA, 02721 . Arrangements by Auclair Funeral Home. Online guest book at AuclairFuneralHome. com.