Of Medfield, died late Thursday evening May 7th, 2009, at the Riverbend Convalescent Home in South Natick after a brief illness. He was 85.
Born on September 17, 1923 in Newton, son of the late Hosanna and Louise (Bedard) LaCroix, Jack was raised in Newton and lived most of his life in Waltham before moving to Medfield 20 years ago.
As young man he joined the United States Army during the Second World War serving with the Army’s Cannon Company 105th Infantry Regiment as Technical Sergeant in the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign and in the Philippine Liberation receiving Bronze Service Stars for his service.
When he returned from serving his country, Jack began operating a trucking business in Newton the “Garden City Express”, which he owned and operated until the mid 50’s when he was appointed to the Waltham Police Department as a permanent Police Officer. He served proudly the City of Waltham as a Patrolman and for several years as a Detective from 1958 until his retirement in 1986. His retirement allowed his son to follow in his footsteps and today proudly serve as Chief of Police for the Waltham Police Department. After his retirement and for most of his life he had been employed on a part-time basis with the Hyde Bird Feeder Company on Felton Street in Waltham.
Jack had been one of the original co-founders of the Waltham Pony League today known as the Babe Ruth Little League in Waltham. He coached baseball for many of the youth in the community. In his spare time he was an avid sportsman and sports fan. He played baseball, softball and hockey for pick-up leagues throughout the city. Jack was passionate for supporting Boston sports teams. Most of all Jack was devoted to his family especially his grandchildren spending time attending many of their events.
He was a member of the Waltham Police Department Local #161, Massachusetts Coalition of Police.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Helen J. (Waterhouse) LaCroix, his loving sons Robert Edward LaCroix of Millis, Stephen Allen LaCroix of Ft. Pierce, FL, and Waltham Police Chief Thomas M. LaCroix of Maynard, his dear sister Irene Chevrette of Waltham, his cherished grandchildren Christine Warren, Adam, Kara, Michael, Alyssa, Roger & Raymond LaCroix, and his great granddaughter Maya. In addition he is survived by his many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Brother of the late Loretta McCabe, Mary MacDonald, Eleanor Parker and Joseph LaCroix.
Funeral Services will be held from the Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM (BrascoFuneralHome.com) on Wednesday May 13th at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Jack’s Life at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Interment with Honors will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Monday May 11th and Tuesday May 12th from 3 " 7 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty.
Flowers are appreciated or expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
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