Joseph L. LaGasse

Joseph L. LaGasse, age 86, of 3654 Talanca Drive, Bloomsburg, died at 6: 40 p. m. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Sunset Ridge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Scott Township where he was a patient for eight days.

Born on December 18, 1931 in Madawaska, Maine, he was a son of the late Henry and Odil (Raymond) LaGasse. He resided in Bloomsburg since 1980 and previously lived in Kingston, New York.

Joe was last employed as an operating engineer, working out of the Newark, New Jersey Union Hall.

He was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg.

Joe served with the U. Army during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Tech./Sergeant.  He received the Purple Heart medal, Korean Service medal with two bronze stars and the Combat Infantry badge.

He was a member of the Purple Heart Chapter 529, Berwick; the Disabled American War Veterans;

Catawissa Post 8306, VFW; Ft. McClure Post 804, VFW, Bloomsburg; the Valley of Bloomsburg American Legion Post 273; and was a life member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He also belonged to the former Columbia Valley Lodge 623, Loyal Order of the Moose and the former Rescue Fire Co., #1, Bloomsburg.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, the former Wilma L. Richart, on October 26, 2012, ending a marriage of 58 years and by two brothers and three sisters.

Surviving are eight children: Susan, wife of Michael Horvers, Kingston, NY; Joseph L. LaGasse, Jr., Berwick; Cheryl, wife of Ralph Cogswell, Cairo, NY; Barry L. LaGasse, Berwick; Andrea, wife of Randy Sink, Berwick; Craig S. LaGasse, Miami, Fla.; Marlin L. LaGasse, Berwick; Tara L. LaGasse, and her companion Alan Grover, Berwick; 10 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren. He was the last of his immediate family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 11:00 a. m. in St. Columbia Catholic Church, 342 Iron Street, Bloomsburg, by his pastor, Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence. Interment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy, where military honors will be performed by the combined veterans group.

A viewing will be held on Sunday from 2-4 p. m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg. A prayer service will be held at 4 p. m.