Joseph L. LaCross
Joseph L. LaCross, 86, Retired East Providence Assistant Fire Chief, entered into eternal rest with the love and care of his family, the staff of the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home and Hope Hospice and Palliative Care on Saturday, January 27, 2018. He was the husband and high school sweetheart of Valerie T. (Gorman) LaCross to whom he was married 64 years. Born in Portland, Maine he was the son of the late Joseph D. Lacroix and Anna (Keefe) Legare.
Joe was a retired member of the US Coast Guard Reserve and a past President of the New England Fire Fighters Instructors Association. He taught at CCRI and volunteer departments throughout the state. The Bristol volunteers were always special to him. He was a former East Providence Little League Baseball Coach, a Bantam Hockey League Coach and a youth hockey coach for the former East Providence Blues. He was a member of Silver Spring Golf Course where he had two holes in one and a Senior League Championship. As a member of the East Providence Recreation Golf League, Joe had a hole in one and won a Senior Championship. He belonged to the East Providence Senior Center where he volunteered as a computer teacher. He was a communicant of St. Martha’s Church since its inception and was a Webelo Leader with the original Pack 5 Cub Scouts at St. Martha’s. Joe was a master carpenter and built his current home with his own hands. He made beautiful wood creations for his grandchildren.
He was the proud father of his four sons and a loving Dad to their wives, George S. LaCross and his wife Elaine of Barrington, Chief John M. LaCross, B.P.D. and his wife Judith of Barrington, Peter K. LaCross and his wife Judith of North Kingstown and the late Joseph R. LaCross. He was a devoted grandfather to his five grandchildren, Ashley LaCross Driscoll and her husband Kevin, Allison LaCross and her fiancé Pablo J. Barrio, Daniel LaCross and his wife Jill, Patrick LaCross and his wife Catherine and Evan LaCross. He was overjoyed to have lived to hold and love his two great grandchildren, John R. and Charles James Driscoll.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 9:00 AM from the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Martha’s Church, 2595 Pawtucket Avenue. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours Tuesday 4-7. In lieu of flowers it was Joe’s wish for any donations to be made to the East Providence Firefighters Beneficial Association, P.O. Box 4966, Rumford, RI 02916.
