Justin Laberge

Justin LaBerge, born on March 4, 1980 in Portland, Maine, passed away on the evening of March 7, 2018 of an unexpected pulmonary embolism at 38 years old. He died in the presence of his wife, Elizabeth LaBerge in Washington, DC.

Justin was born to Kim Marie Dean and Steven LaBerge, and raised in South Portland. Justin lost his mother in 1993 due to complications related to AIDS. Her AIDS education work inspired Justin to pursue a career in public relations. He attended South Portland High School, graduating in 1998 as the Red Riot with the “Most School Spirit.” In 2003, Justin graduated from the University of Southern Maine, with a B.A. in Communications and Political Science.
Following college, Justin pursued a Masters in Political Communication and Communication studies at the University of Kansas. Justin began his career in public relations in Kansas City, where he served rural electric cooperative clients and developed a passion for cooperative organizations. In 2009, Justin met his wife Elizabeth, and they were married on Peak’s Island in 2012. Justin cherished his wife and always spoke of her with pride and love. Following their wedding, Justin and Elizabeth moved home to Portland.

In 2015, Justin started his “dream job” managing communications for senior leadership at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Arlington. Justin flourished in his role, grew his passion for the cooperative movement, and quickly made a home for himself at NRECA and among its members. Justin will be remembered as a proud Mainer, loving son, brother and husband, and as a funny, passionate, sensitive, curious and brilliant force in the lives of those who knew him.

Justin is survived by his wife, Elizabeth LaBerge and her family; his father, Steven LaBerge and his wife, Michelle LaBerge; his step-father Paul Smith and his wife, Sue Smith; his brothers, Timothy LaBerge, Matthew LaBerge, and Alexander Smith; and numerous friends in Maine, Washington, DC, and across the country.
A memorial service will be held at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 on Saturday, March 24 at 4:00pm, with a reception to follow. A second service will be held in Maine in the fall.