Kenneth LaClair, 56, of Claremont, at Niagara Falls in 2009. LaClair, a youth pastor, died on Saturday after he was crushed by a vehicle he was working on.
Kenneth LaClair, 56, of Claremont, at Niagara Falls in 2009. LaClair, a youth pastor, died on Saturday after he was crushed by a vehicle he was working on. Credit: Photograph courtesy of Vanessa Perron

Claremont — The Grace River Church community is mourning the loss of its longtime youth pastor, who was killed on Saturday when a vehicle he was working on came loose from a jack and crushed him.

First responders found Kenneth LaClair trapped under a vehicle around 7 p.m. on White Hill Road in Claremont, according to a news release issued on Monday.

He had been pinned for roughly 30 to 40 minutes before someone found him. He was pronounced dead on scene, police said.

LaClair was 56 years old, and had worked as the youth pastor at Grace River for about 18 years, said Andy Boardman, LaClair’s nephew, who also works at the church. He formally retired from the position about two years ago.

Prior to that, LaClair was a youth leader at several area churches for “many, many years,” Boardman said.

His involvement with youth didn’t stop at the church.

“If the kids played sports, he’d go to their games,” Boardman said. “He was just there, no matter the time of day.

“He was the guy who had an impact on people that was lasting. It was so incredible.”

In addition to his church responsibilities, he also was a farrier and drove a school bus. No matter what he did, LaClair “always left a positive impact,” his nephew said.

“Ken is the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back, and if you needed a second one, he’d go find you one,” Boardman said. “He was truly a man of God; he put everyone first.”

LaClair leaves behind his wife, Deb, two children and grandchildren.

Jimmie Neilsen, the eldest son of former Mayor James Neilsen, was just one of the many youth LaClair mentored throughout his years.

He regarded LaClair as an “encourager” who was always lifting people’s spirits.

“He was instrumental in a lot of young people’s lives in showing them that they have a purpose,” Neilsen said. “Regardless of whatever upbringing they may have had, he was always good at pulling out untapped potential.”

Elizabeth Tibbals, who works at the church, recalled many days with LaClair, some of which were spent snowboarding at Mount Sunapee. She said LaClair took youth on mission trips to Africa and Haiti and also took them camping and boating.

“He had more energy than one person ought,” she said with a laugh.

While simultaneously fighting back tears, Tibbals said: “It is not possible to write all the ways that he touched so many kids.”

Calling hours will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Stringer Funeral Home, according to Grace River’s website. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Grace River.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help LaClair’s family with funeral and other costs.

To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/ken-laclair-memorial-fund.

Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.