Gerald LaCasse passed away peacefully at Cedar Ridge Nursing Facility in Skowhegan on Thursday February 22, 2018 after a three year fight with multiple myeloma. Gerry was a lifelong resident of Skowhegan, graduating from Skowhegan High School in 1942.
After high school, Gerry joined the Air Force, serving in World War II in the Pacific including on Iwo Jima. After serving, he returned home to work for a period at the Norrwock Shoe Company in Skowhegan before joining the U.S. Postal Service for whom he served until his retirement in 1986.
Gerry married Dorothea Tuttle MacKenzie, formerly of Stoneham, Massachusetts in 1951. Gerry and Dot celebrated their 66th anniversary in June of 2017.
Gerry lived a full life. He loved everything outdoors including hunting, fishing, gardening, logging, and all outdoor recreation. He played semi-pro baseball in Maine for several years after his military stint. He was a coach in the Skowhegan Little League program from the 1960’s into the 1990’s. Many of his former players still share remembrances of their playing days under his guidance. He took up golf later in life, even playing 18 holes in the family Father’s Day tourney at the age of 92. He also climbed Mount Katahdin at age 78. He was an ardent follower of all Skowhegan High and University of Maine athletic programs and traveled multiple times with the UMO baseball team to the College World Series in Omaha.
Gerry was a sometimes stubborn man who would rather “do it himself”. He built the family home in the 1950’s and continued to live there until his passing. He continued to cut and split his own firewood, with a maul, even at age 92.
Besides his wife Dorothea, in his immediate family Gerry leaves behind his son Jeff and his wife Vicki; son Barry and his wife Dorothy; and daughter Andrea and her husband Russ Frazier. He also leaves behind grandchildren Matthew LaCasse and wife Melissa; Lindsey LaCasse; Heather Blanchet, husband Nick and their children Brynn and Gage; Beth Langley, husband Carey and their children Kai and Sawyer; Michael LaCasse, wife Stephanie and their son Dean; Jenna Goodell and significant other Nick Washburn; Dan Goodell and wife Ashby; and Jacyln Frazier. He was predeceased by his brothers Francis and Robert.
At Gerry’s request, there will be no funeral services. Burial services will be held in the spring at the East Skowhegan Cemetery with a celebration of his life to follow. Date, time and place will be announced. Arrangements are under the care of the Smart Funeral Home in Skowhegan.
The LaCasse family wishes to thank all the staff of the Cedar Ridge Nursing Facility for their compassion, support and care throughout Gerry’s stay. They also extend their appreciation to the numerous professionals at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, most especially to those working in the EMS, ER, Oncology and Special Care departments, who provided exceptional care for Gerry over the years.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to contribute to Gerry’s memory may make donations to the Oncology Department at Redington Fairview General Hospital, 46 Fairview Ave., Skowhegan, ME 04976.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home. Notes of remembrance and condolence can be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com
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