To the Editor-

What a loss and sad time it is for our community that we have to accept the passing of Reid Rocheleau, who died on March 8.

I doubt there ever has been or will ever be again a private citizen who so relentlessly worked for more than three decades for the needs of our city, county and school districts, as well as those of Whiting, Waupaca, Sturgeon Bay and Two Rivers.

Every city, village, state and country needs a Reid. They need him to keep a watchful eye on what is occurring in government, to make sure government works within the law, to prevent overspending, to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and to teach others how to navigate local government.

He was relentless in doing government research and in making the calls and visits to government officials. He was best at the worst job of all, being the person to call out the wrongdoing in public. Reid took the hits when most everyone else wouldn’t. He was a warrior who never quit.

He was often willing to fight alone. He was all about life. It was never about himself. He was modest about his accomplishments.

He was as much known for his kind, gentle, genuine soul as for his fierce passion to get the attention of everyone when he spoke the truth. He did what we all wish we could do.

His charm, vibrancy, humor and totally free spirit that loved life and lived it to the fullest will live on in all who knew him. He was an adventure.

Reid was not perfect, though more often than not he was very committed to doing what was right. He could be inspiring and he could be exasperating, but he was always real.

We thank him for helping us to be better people by his unwavering and fearless example of commitment to citizen participation in government and in loyalty to friends who he always went out of his way to help.

I’m sure he’ll have some good advice for St. Peter and is ruffling some feathers in heaven. Rest in peace our friend. We will miss your always smiling face.

Mary Ann Laszewski
Stevens Point.