While holding the hands of his only two daughters, John Thomas Lacasse, in his 87th year, took his last breaths. His passing was unexpected yet peaceful. John is finally reunited and dancing in the arms of his one true love, Lenore, who passed away in 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Part of his heart left with her on that day, but he lived on many years to see, in his own words, the Legacy of his life, grow to be so many.
On his last day, he was blessed to spend precious time with his beloved sister, Jeanette Dreher (late Leo) where the reminisced about old times together. Papa John leaves many to miss him and carry on his legacy: daughters Dory and Jan (Aldo); grandchildren Debbie Millward (Chris), Julie Nolan (Matt Sibilo), Jesse Nolan (Stefanie), Nicole and Kristine Duguay (Tate Trottier), Mattie, Nicholas, and Sam DeDominicis and great-grandchildren Christopher, Warren (Brooklyn), Nyomie, Rhylie, Reece, Reign, and River, Solomon and Samson Warren, Kesler and Sawyer Nolan, Everleigh Matthews, Robbie-Mae and Isla-Rae Marshall, and Elijah Trottier. John is also survived by his other sister Teena Fillion (Bob) and is predeceased by his brothers Dan (late Barb) and Jim Lacasse), and by his family in Calgary, Alberta, sister-in-law Carmel Arnason (late Cliff) and brother-in-law Barry Allen (Christie). Also missing him will be his many treasured nieces and nephews in Sault Ste. Marie and Calgary.
Born in Blind River, Ontario, to Cecile Beauchamp (late Charlie) and Dan Lacasse (late Doris), John entered the working world with an eager, hardworking spirit. At just fifteen years old—and claiming to be sixteen—he joined the crews working the Freighters of the Great Lakes. He was a strong, determined young man who relished both the hard work and the majesty of the open water. It sparked in him a deep love for Canada’s natural beauty and this managed to take him west to Calgary where he proudly enlisted in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. His years of military service remained among his proudest achievements. His name and image can be found on one of the many plaques at Casa Loma in Toronto, immortalized alongside his fellow soldiers. John wore his beret and uniform with unwavering dignity and was an honoured veteran who took deep pride in his sixty-year membership with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. He served with reverence on the funeral committee and stood faithfully at the Remembrance Day display in the Station Mall for many years, in quiet tribute to those who served beside him.
It was during those army days that he agreed to a blind date one evening, a night that changed the course of his life. When this beautiful woman walked into the room, John turned to his buddies and, without missing a beat, said, “Now that’s the woman I’m going to marry.” He kept his word. John and Lenore were married on November 12, 1960, and shared forty-seven wonderful years together. Only her passing could part them.
The couple spent time in Calgary where Lenore’s family was from and to begin raising their two daughters before eventually settling in Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to John’s family. There, he found employment at Algoma Steel where he worked as an electrician for over 35 years, retiring with a reputation for reliability and quiet excellence.
Outside of work and service, John found joy in life’s simpler pleasures. Some of the best of times were at his camp at Northland Lake, where he and his brother Dan owned camps beside one another. It was there that him and Lenore and Dan and his wife Barb enjoyed countless days and nights with their children and grandchildren. This is where the trees, water, and campfire brought everyone happiness. There were many fun filled days as well as having quiet, relaxing nights with the stars shining brilliantly above them. There was a close bond between the two brothers and there was a time, early each and every morning, that John would look outside at the stillness of the lake and see Dan, all alone, except for the loons flying right above him, sitting at the back of his small little boat with the motor running very, very slowly over the stillness of the lake. These moments meant so much to John, because Dan passed away not many years later, at the young age of forty-seven. Another one of his favourite things to do was to watch boxing matches. From a very young age he and Dan loved to keep up on all current champions and their fights and it was very rare for them to miss any at all. John had a deep appreciation for the sport, perhaps because there was a bit of a scrapper in him, too. He and John took great pride sitting pretty much ringside together, watching every one of the fights that the famous Soo Boxing Club and his then son-in-law Steve had. He cheered him on with all the intensity of a man who knew the value of grit and heart.
John’s life was one of service, strength, and deep devotion. He worked hard, loved harder, and lived a life filled with meaning and memory. He leaves behind a family built on the foundation he laid—one of love, laughter and resilience.
A formal funeral will not be held, but a celebration of John’s life will take place during the warmer months so that all family members can get here. This will be lovingly organized by his daughters, Dory and Jan. Friends and family will be notified with details once we have decided more. A very special thank you to Erin in emerg, for all of your time, your caring and for making sure that we had whatever we needed while we were there on that last day.
Memorial donations in memory of John may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 (payable online or by cheque).
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).