CLAREMONT, N.H., BANGOR and MILFORD, Mass. – Ronald J. Lacasse, 64, died Jan. 11, 2012. He was born July 18, 1947, in Claremont, N.H., to Bernard J. and Rita A. (Lessard) Lacasse.
He attended Saint Mary’s Grammar School and Saint Mary’s Central Catholic High School, where he was a drummer in the band and graduated in 1966. Ronnie served in the U.S. Army, doing two tours of duty in the Green Berets during the Vietnam War, earning the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Stripes and four Combat Stripes. He was also stationed at Bad Tolz, Germay, and Fort Bragg, N.C., and had basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training for communications at Fort Gordon, Ga. He was proud to have served his country and paraded his Vietnam hat and American flags until the day he died. As Ronnie explained, experiencing firsthand the “misery and suffering” of war, as well as “seeing a lot of friends killed” proved to be a tremendous burden that would follow him through life. Nevertheless, those that knew him best knew he was an intelligent, kind and caring man. Ronnie was also a third degree knight with the Knights of Columbus, Valencia Council No. 80, Milford, Mass., and enjoyed playing the drums, photography, electronics, macrame‚ and other crafts.
He is survived by his son, Michael Lacasse of Bangor; brother, Robert Lacasse of Sanford, N.C.; sisters, Elaine Nixon of Webster, Mass., and Janice Davis of Milford, Mass.; several nieces and nephews, Janet English of Sanford, N.C., Sandra Galindo of Humble, Texas, Christopher Lacasse of Holley Springs, N.C., Laurie Riley of Milford, Mass., John Davis of Milford, Mass., Bonnie Lacasse of Webster, Mass., Cathy Wassenar of Oxford, Mass., Linda Nixon and Nicole Nixon of Webster, Mass.; and a pet mouse.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 3-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Claremont, N.H.