Richard Tommy “Duke” LaPointe, 56, of Goodall Road in Holland,VT passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at Fletcher Allen Hospital on Friday, April 16, 2010 following complications from longstanding health concerns.

Duke was born in Claremont, NH on February 8, 1954 the son of Donald “Red” and Theresa (Dupont) LaPointe.

He was a graduate of Stevens High School in the Class of 1972. He then followed in his fathers footsteps by joining the US Navy.

In his 56 years of life, Duke never stopped loving life or his family and friends, leaving a full legacy of touched lives and extraordinary memories.

He developed a love of agriculture early in his life, which led him to pursue an education at UNH in Animal Science. At the same time, Duke would realize his dream of owning and operating his own dairy farm when he rented and eventually bought Kristal Farm in Holland, Vermont. Even though health issues would eventually leave him unable to continue his passion for dairy farming, Duke was never one to let problems stop him from living his life to the fullest. He made use of his newly found freedom to see the world, spend time family and friends and help his wife turn the farm into a family oriented, successful Equine establishment. Duke lived his life with dignity, compassion and purpose and will be sorely missed by many people whose lives he helped shape. Both Tami and Duke touched countless lives of children as they shared their love for livestock. Duke was a 4H leader for years.

He met and married his best friend, Tami Raymond on October 15, 1994. Together they traveled the world. Duke loved the freedom that came from scuba diving with the sharks and watching his wife enjoy the much needed relaxation from farm life.

Duke is survived by his wife, parents and one son, Alan LaPointe and his companion, Sherry Smith of Knottingham; one daughter, Kristen LaPointe and her fiancé, Ralph Tutela of Claremont; one brother, Colan LaCroix and his wife, Cindy of Claremont; four sisters, Rhonda Sharkey of Claremont, Donna Tewksbury and her husband, Alan of Cornish, Karen Pore and her husband, Jerry of Illinois and Pamela Fairbanks and her husband, Jim of Claremont; four granddaughters, Samantha LaPointe, Ashli LaPointe, Sadie Witham-LaPointe and Sara Witham-LaPointe; many nieces and nephews whom he adored and loved watching their lives develop as they began their own families; one uncle, Alfred Dupont of NJ and FL; one aunt, Barbara Dupont of Claremont and many cousins.

He was pre-deceased by his brother-in-law, Bruce Sharkey in 2000.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday afternoon, April 23rd at One O’clock at St. Mary’s Church in Claremont.

A celebration of Duke’s life will be held at 12:00PM on May 15^th at Kristal Farms, 905 Goodall Road, Holland, VT, 05830. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

In acknowledgements of the remarkable care Duke received from North Country Hospital and Fletcher Allen Hospital, the family asks that anyone wishing to give to Duke’s memory make a donation to the Ron Holland MD Community Dialysis Center at North Country Hospital in Newport, VT and BLP/4H Club, 3571 Gore Road, Derby, VT 05829.