Roger B. LaCoste

Ware - Roger B. LaCoste, 80, of Ware, died on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield following a brief illness.

He leaves his loving wife of 52 years, Lucille M. (Phaneuf) LaCoste; two sons, Gary C. LaCoste and his wife Miranda of Ware, and Greg E. LaCoste and his wife Terri of Arizona. Known as Pepé to them, he leaves his three grandchildren who he adored, Ashley, Olivia, and Owen. He also leaves his sister, Pam Putinas and her husband Bruce of East Windsor, CT, as well as many relatives, friends, including one of his oldest, Mickey Bish, and fellow veterans. He was predeceased by his son, Marc B. LaCoste in 1995. He was born in Ware, son of the late Charles F. and Violet (Walker) LaCoste and grew up in West Warren. He and Lucy have lived in Ware for their 52 years where he was very well known throughout town.

Soon after helping his team win a State Championship in basketball and graduating from high school, Roger enlisted in the United States Navy serving as a radio operator. After the service, he spent his career with the former New England Telephone Company which later became Verizon, as a Lineman for 37 years, until he retired in 2002. He was there before hydraulic bucket trucks were standard equipment, and although a crew chief then, he put on a set of climbing spikes and climbed right up a telephone pole on the day he retired. He was a member of IBEW Local 2024.

Roger never actually truly retired though, and enjoyed keeping active. He played senior softball with the Southbridge Softball Association for 19 years and the Western Mass Relics where he was part of a team that became National Senior Game Champs. He was a member of Gabes Sports Bar, Weir River Social Club, and the American Legion Post 123 in Ware. Roger was a part of the Charbonneau Funeral Home family, where he worked with the Directors and other staff to assist families during funeral services. He was also a member of the Beers & Story Funeral Home family and worked as a driver for Century Limousine Service in Wilbraham. He was as an observer at the town hall in Ware during elections and was a long-time member of All Saint’s Church where he was very active and served on the finance committee. Roger was always a big supporter of youth sports, coaching teams when his kids were small and most recently scouting for the Ware High School girls’ basketball team.

Due to a rise in covid cases and restrictions, the LaCoste Family will be honoring Roger with a Graveside Service (masks are strongly encouraged) at 10:00am on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Ware.  The family is also inviting people to participate in a drive-by parade to help celebrate Roger’s life later in the afternoon on September 9th anytime between 2pm to 4pm on Mountain View Drive in Ware.  Lucille, Gary, Greg, and their families will be out in front of the house to see everyone pay their respects.  For the parade celebration, please feel free to celebrate Roger in whichever manner you see fit.  If that means decorating your car or simply waving hi and sending well wishes as you drive by the house, both are great options (Due to covid concerns and to keep the flow of traffic moving, please do not stop in front of house or get out of your car during the parade).  A Memorial Mass for Roger will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or online at www.jimmyfund.org.

Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware is assisting his family with arrangements. 

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