Larry Ladouceur:  

College Signed up for the Coast Guard out of high school. Had physical a week before deploying and failed due to a hernia. Worked at Mike's Deli for a year and started Canton College. Decided I liked the money better and never went back my second year. Worked another year or so at Mike's. Worked at Ogdensburg Electric for a couple years. Moved to Syracuse for a year. Moved to Florida for 3 years. Loved it, but got homesick. Lived in Heuvelton for a year or so. Met a gal who was going to Binghamton University. Eventually moved down to Binghamton in 1985 and have been here every since. That relationship lasted a year. Got involved with another lady for about 5 years. She had 3 young boys. Never wanted any kids, but they grew on me. Marriage was not in the picture either. Then after a year of not dating, I met another lady with 3 kids. They were a bit older, 11-14, but I was OK with that, as long as there were no babies. A half year later, we got married. I was 35 and had become quite selfish living for myself that long. That was our first problem. The stepkids were our second problem. Then all hell broke loose. Oldest stepdaughter went nuts at 15. Ran away a couple times, quit school, hung with the wrong crowd, hospitolized for depression, yada, yada, yada. Turned 16 and moved out. I convinced her mom to keep the doors open for her no matter how hurt and angry she was. She did. We took her on a Florida Vacation with us and had her over for dinner once a week or so. Eventually she moved back in, agreeing to abide by our home rules. She was a different person. All was well, right? Wrong. A month later she was struck by a train and killed. Then it all fell apart. Depression for both of us, alcohol problems for me. We were unable to make the payments declared bankruptcy. And on top of all that, 4 or 5 months after the death, my wife got pregnate. I was devesatated at first. Remember, I didn't want any babies. But I pretended to be OK ...Expand for more