Obituary: James LaRose, Former Head of Grounds Department

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James A. “Jimmy” LaRose, 72, of Whately, retired heads of grounds at Physical Plant, died unexpectedly at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on Sept. 24.

Born in Northampton, he was a 1964 graduate of Northampton High School. Upon his graduation, he began a long career in the grounds department. He retire din 2004 with more than 30 years of service.

He leaves his aunt, Shirley LaRose of Leeds, his sister-in-law, Kathryn LaRose of Northampton, nephews Jason Erik LaRose and Aaron James LaRose and his wife Bianca of Northampton. He also leaves his three grand-nieces, Ariel, Julia, and Isabela LaRose, and grand-nephew Daniel LaRose, all of Northampton and numerous cousins, including Marianne Labarge of Northampton.

A funeral wake is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1 from 4-7 p.m. at the Ahearn Funeral Home. The funeral will be Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Church (formerly Sacred Heart Church) at 10 a.m. and burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities.