Jeffrey P LaCross

ALL SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE AT ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH IN NORTH PLAINFIELD, NOTHING IS AT THE FUNERAL HOME

Jeffrey Paul LaCross, 70, died on March 14, 2020 after struggling with a brain tumor at Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.

Jeff is survived by his wife of almost 47 years, Gayla; his son, Matthew (Kim) of South Plainfield, NJ; his daughter, Angela (Earen) Dunham of Stafford, VA; his sister, Ann Marie (Michael) Donoghue of South Burlington, VT; and his grandchildren, Jessica, Logan, Ariana, and Christopher.

He was born Oct. 24,1949 to Donald and Shirley (Barkyoumb) LaCross of Sheldon Springs, VT.   He was a graduate of Bellows Free Academy-St. Albans and attended Vermont Technical College. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Air Force and met his future wife, Gayla Peryea, while stationed at Plattsburgh, NY.  They were married on April 7, 1973 before he was stationed in Tachikawa, Japan.

Jeff returned to The States with his wife and their oldest child, Matthew, and settled in North Plainfield, NJ.  Jeff was honorably discharged after 8 years of dedicated service to the country. He began working for Digital Equipment Corporation in their Electronics Division and over time became a project manager.

He enjoyed coaching his children to play football, baseball and softball.  Many children from North Plainfield knew him as “Coach” as he was involved in a number of recreation leagues. His children remember all the time he spent teaching them sports, poker, and he was always quick to give them advice on how to achieve their personal goals.

Jeff  was an accomplished fast pitch softball player who played competitively in the service. He was a no-nonsense individual who loved to talk and who was passionate about helping others. After being laid off from Toys ‘R’ Us, Jeff decided to finish his college degree at Kean University and became a Financial Planner.  He was an active and dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a founder of The St. Vincent de Paul Society for his parish. He spent the last years of his life volunteering and helping others through that foundation.

Visiting hours will be at St. Joseph Church, 41 Manning Ave in North Plainfield from 3 to 7 p.m.  Wednesday March 18. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday March 19 at St. Joseph Church with the Rev. George Farrell officiating.  A reception will follow in the church hall. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Jeff’s life. Burial will be later at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Sheldon Springs, VT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Joseph Church in Jeff’s name, to be used for the replacement of the Domes with a portion going to The St. Vincent de Paul Society. Condolences can be sent to https://www.sheenanfh.com/obituary/JeffreyP-LaCross. The family would like to thank the hospital staff at JFK Medical Center for their efforts.

As we all deal with the nationwide spread of the COVID-19 virus, we ask that you honor our new policy to protect the families we are serving, yourself, our staff and our community. When you come to a public visitation and funeral please honor the following:
•    Please no hugging, kissing, handshaking or touching of any kind.
•    There is a limit to no more than 50 people in our building at one time (this includes our staff.)
•    We ask kindly for the safety of all, that you limit your time visiting with the family and paying your respects.
Thank you for your continued cooperation during this time.  We are implementing this policy to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
 

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