- Date Of Birth: May 9, 1940
- Date Of Death: April 17, 2022
- State: Connecticut
James Melvin LaCasse May 9, 1940 – April 17, 2022WEST HARTLAND – Jim passed away peacefully at home on Easter Sunday. Jim was one of the last of his kind, a man who possessed the grit and heart found only in a bygone era. He spent his childhood with his many siblings, (14 total) falling into the role of mischievous middle child with ease. Throughout his life, everyone loved hearing his stories of his childhood even if they were repetitive. His detailed stories of a more simple time really made you feel as if you were born in the same era. Jim’s biggest passion was cars. He was a master mechanic, owning several of his own shops throughout his life while also mastering the construction trade; welding, heavy machine operating, electrical work, carpentry, logging, etc. Jim was a hard worker, and he worked from Sunup to Sundown, and then more. This didn’t stop him from being a family man either, though. Jim had 4 kids, with two different mothers but he loved them all just the same. He taught his kids how to be tough, use a wrench and most of all how to love nature. He loved gardening and picking fresh tomatoes off the vine to snack on. Many hikes, camping trips, or even just afternoon drives listening to stories and country music were a favorite way to spend time with dad. Jim spent many years off road racing in Southwick, MA where he won several trophies. You could always find a big crowd there cheering him on. Jim loved to rebuild classic vehicles. One of which is his ‘49 Willie’s Jeep; his pride and joy that he often took off-roading to go berry picking with his grandsons who he loved spending time with. His grandchildren certainly looked up to him. When Jim met Sharon in 2000, the kids all knew that she would be his “forever”. Sharon quickly accepted all of Jim’s kids as her own. Jim and Sharon adopted Rusty, their beloved dog that passed away just a couple years ago. Rusty was Jim’s best friend and went everywhere Jim did. It didn’t matter where Jim was off to, Rusty was always in the passenger seat. You could say he was the “5th child”. Jim and Sharon spent a lot of their time at the casino. Some could say they had an addiction. Jim also loved roaming through the woods and “picking” in junk piles. Anything that had rust on it was a treasure to him. His appreciation for the little things passed on to each of his children. Through the years, family traditions continued. Cookouts for Dad’s birthday, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas meals. Everyone loved being together. As he aged, those traditions and stories became even more special. To try and write so little about a man we share so many memories with is almost impossible, but Jim’s life can be summed up by the love his kids and Sharon all share. The pain of missing him will never subside; but his memory will live on forever. We are calmed knowing he is at peace (raising hell) in Heaven with his siblings, mom & dad, several friends, and of course Rusty. Jim lovingly leaves behind his wife, Sharon Day of West Hartland; son, Jessen LaCasse of West Hartland, daughter, Jayne LaCasse Downey of West Hartland, daughter, Valerie (LaCasse) and husband Devon Nash of West Hartland, son, Steven and wife Kat LaCasse of Colebrook, as well as 5 grandchildren, Amanda, Chase, Bradley, Waylon & James. He also leaves behind the following siblings; Carol (Bob) Stadler of Barkhamsted, Ronald (Penny) LaCasse of East Hartland, Richard “Dickie” LaCasse of Norfolk, David LaCasse of Otis, MA, Jack (Tara) LaCasse of Riverton, Marina Kitteredge of New Hartford, Nancy LaCasse of Winsted, Peggy (Leon) Coon of Winsted; sister-in-law, Elaine (Thomas Sr.) LaCasse of West Hartland; and several nieces and nephews. Jim is predeceased by his father, Marshall LaCasse and mother, Margaret (Finley) LaCasse, his late wife, Dale (Mitchell) LaCasse, his sister, Laurel-Lee LaCasse, brother, Thomas LaCasse, Sr., sister, Linda LaCasse, brother, Peter LaCasse, brother, Marshall LaCasse and sister-in-law Betty (Richard) LaCasse. The family would like to thank Foothills Visiting Nurses for their tireless compassion and care for Jim.
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