Ever on the move with a shuffling step, our dear plaid-clad John MacLean LaRusic has died. John is the son of Catherine Ann (MacNeil) and James Patrick LaRusic. A lifelong resident of Dingwall for 74 years, John was an educator, Scout leader, little league coach, Lions Club member and friend to many. He was surrounded by his loving family as he concluded his earthly journey. He earned a B.ED degree from St. FX in 1971, teaching 31 years in Northern Cape Breton. John left a lasting impression on his students because they knew he cared. John’s pride and joy were his grandchildren. His love for them was beyond measure. They never went without treats. If you needed a lawnmower or snow blower repaired, John was your guy. He could often be found with greasy hands in his driveway (while wearing his good pants), fixing something for himself or a neighbour. Because that’s what John was - he was kind without measure, and gave of himself whenever he could. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone and he was always interested in the good fortunes of others, especially when it came to his family. A lifelong reader who was a fountain of knowledge about military history, John enjoyed sharing facts, information and stories with his family and friends. John was also a loyal comrade, especially when it came to his friends, including “Dr. Bob” Jacobs, Brian Fitzgerald and his dear friend, Buddy Fraser, who predeceased John only by a few weeks. Without a doubt, John and Buddy are now working together to fix St. Peter’s heavenly tractor. John is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Donovan) LaRusic; sons, Frank and Adam; grandchildren, Kaura O’Donnell, Chloe MacKinnon, Tyler LaRusic; sisters, Rosemary Moore (Gary), Edith MacAskill (Gordon); brothers, Gordon, Frank (Ettie), Stewart (Elaine); sisters-in-law, Ann Hussey (Keith), Paula Mayich (John); brothers-in-law, Bill Donovan (Jan), Kenny Donovan (Rose), as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was pre-deceased by his granddaughter, Ainsley Donovan; sister-in-law, Sharon Williams (Fred); brother-in-law, Roland Donovan.
The family wishes to thank the entire health care team at Buchanan Memorial for their compassion and care for John as well as his family members over the last several months. Your kindness and compassion made this difficult journey so much easier. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s honor to the North of Smokey Palliative Care/Hospice Society or Buchanan Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation.
A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday July 31st, 2021 at St Josephs in Dingwall at 2pm with Rev. Alphonsus Iwuji officiating. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.fillmoreandwhitman.com
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us," ~Helen Keller
