1945
James
2017
James R. LaClair
March 23, 1945 — November 20, 2017
RICHFORD - James R. LaClair, age 72, passed away Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.
He was born March 23, 1945 in Barre, VT to the late Robert LaClair & Jean (Lackey) Bannon.
Jim was a devout traditional Catholic. God came before anything else in his life and he enjoyed sharing his faith with others by teaching catechism and adult bible studies, participating in LEAP Retreats, playing guitar at Mass and making custom rosaries.
He graduated from Montpelier High School and St. Michaels College. Jim married Jacqueline (Gagnon) on June 26, 1976. He was a Master Teacher of English Literature and during his career he taught at Highgate High School, Missisquoi Valley Union High School and Richford High School. Affectionately known as Lonestar Jim, he touched the lives of many students throughout his career, long live Trailer Power!
After God, family and friends came music and sports. He was a guitarist and singer and he had played in the bands Green Mountain Connection and The Relics. Jim was a Bob Dylan aficionado and he proudly attended 62 concerts! Football and Car Racing are two of Jims favorite sports; hes had a love-hate relationship with the NY Giants since he was 12. Jim also enjoyed his time announcing high school basketball games at Enosburg & Richford High Schools.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline LaClair of Richford; their son, Joshua LaClair and his daughters Genevieve & Noelle and their mother, Cheryl all of St. Albans; their daughter, Johanna Bendt and her husband Jimmie of Wheat Ridge, CO; his siblings, Joan Brennan and her husband Michael of Crossville and Knoxville, TN, Michael Bannon and Sandy of Waterbury and Theresa Bannon; siblings-in-law, Rene & Phyllis Gagnon of Leominster, MA, Bernie & Betty Ward of Kimberly, British Columbia and Simone & Lee LaRocque of Manchester, CT and several close friends, nieces & nephews. Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his grandparents, George & Anna Lackey; step-father, Bob Bannon and siblings-in-law, Guy Gagnon, Victor Gagnon and Justine Bracani.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 3-6:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave. Enosburg Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 222 Missisquoi St., Enosburg Falls. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Enosburg Falls.
For those who wish, contributions in Jims memory may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, P.O. Box 563, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450.
Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com
He was born March 23, 1945 in Barre, VT to the late Robert LaClair & Jean (Lackey) Bannon.
Jim was a devout traditional Catholic. God came before anything else in his life and he enjoyed sharing his faith with others by teaching catechism and adult bible studies, participating in LEAP Retreats, playing guitar at Mass and making custom rosaries.
He graduated from Montpelier High School and St. Michaels College. Jim married Jacqueline (Gagnon) on June 26, 1976. He was a Master Teacher of English Literature and during his career he taught at Highgate High School, Missisquoi Valley Union High School and Richford High School. Affectionately known as Lonestar Jim, he touched the lives of many students throughout his career, long live Trailer Power!
After God, family and friends came music and sports. He was a guitarist and singer and he had played in the bands Green Mountain Connection and The Relics. Jim was a Bob Dylan aficionado and he proudly attended 62 concerts! Football and Car Racing are two of Jims favorite sports; hes had a love-hate relationship with the NY Giants since he was 12. Jim also enjoyed his time announcing high school basketball games at Enosburg & Richford High Schools.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline LaClair of Richford; their son, Joshua LaClair and his daughters Genevieve & Noelle and their mother, Cheryl all of St. Albans; their daughter, Johanna Bendt and her husband Jimmie of Wheat Ridge, CO; his siblings, Joan Brennan and her husband Michael of Crossville and Knoxville, TN, Michael Bannon and Sandy of Waterbury and Theresa Bannon; siblings-in-law, Rene & Phyllis Gagnon of Leominster, MA, Bernie & Betty Ward of Kimberly, British Columbia and Simone & Lee LaRocque of Manchester, CT and several close friends, nieces & nephews. Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his grandparents, George & Anna Lackey; step-father, Bob Bannon and siblings-in-law, Guy Gagnon, Victor Gagnon and Justine Bracani.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 3-6:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave. Enosburg Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 222 Missisquoi St., Enosburg Falls. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Enosburg Falls.
For those who wish, contributions in Jims memory may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, P.O. Box 563, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450.
Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James R. LaClair, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, November 26, 2017
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Spears Funeral Home
Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, November 27, 2017
Starts at 11:00 am
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Guestbook
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