H. James LaFlame

H. James LaFlame, age 97, of Swansea, passed away Friday, April 24, 2026, at Clifton Rehabilitation Center. He was the husband of the late Charlotte Y. (Guillotte) LaFlame. Born in Athol, Massachusetts, son of the late James H. C. and Sadie R. (Goodwin) LaFlame, he had been a resident of Swansea for more than sixty years.

A graduate of Athol High School, Class of 1947, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from Boston University and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from Fitchburg State University.

A Veteran of the United States Navy, he served in the Korean War and traveled the world. He later enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was a dedicated and innovative music educator in the Swansea Public School system for nearly forty years. Additionally, he was a busy musician teaching privately and performing with various organizations in concerts, parades, musical theatre, and more.

Mr. LaFlame was a dedicated musician who embraced music throughout his life. He was a member of the Navy Musicians Association, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and the American Legion Post 303 in Swansea among others. He was a Renaissance man who was an avid golfer and occasional referee at Case High School athletic games early in his career. Mr. LaFlame loved watching and tracking statistics for all New England sports teams. A life-long learner, he was always reading books and was well known for being an excellent storyteller with a very dry wit.

He is survived by five children, Susan L. LaFlame, James H. LaFlame, Karen E. LaCroix and her husband Paul all of Swansea, Debra A. Irons and her partner James Salemi of Cumberland, Charles E. LaFlame of Mashpee; daughter-in-law, Paola Urrego; five grandchildren, Amy Morelle and her husband David, Ethan LaCroix, James Irons, Elijah LaCroix, Lucas LaFlame, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Elizabeth A. Marciano.

His Funeral will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road., Swansea followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea. Relatives, friends, and students are invited. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to any of the following: the Swansea Ambulance Corps, 285 Wilbur Avenue, Swansea, MA 02777; The John R. Pandolfi Music Scholarship (https://my-site-102714-104198.square.site/ or P.O.Box 414 Rochester, MA 02770); or the Estes Family Scholarship, Joseph Case High School Trust Fund, P.O. Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777. Burial with military honors to be announced at a later date to be held in Massachusetts National Cemetery at Bourne. For tributes or directions, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com