John D. LaCroix

John D. LaCroix, 97 of Nashua, NH passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Agnes Mary (Devaney) LaCroix with whom he shared 64 years of marriage prior to her passing on September 1, 2024.

He was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, on November 15, 1928, son of the late Donat and Lucille (St. Jean) LaCroix.

He attended St. Gabriel’s School for his primary education and later graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy. He loved St. “Jay”, the rolling green hills, the outdoors, and sharing many fond memories of growing up with his brother Gus, sister Aline and many childhood friends.

He was a Korean War veteran who honorably served in the United States Marine Corps.

After his service in the military he moved to Boston, MA to attend the Boston Conservatory of Music where he received a Bachelor’s degree in music. While attending school he worked for Hoods in Charlestown, MA where he met Agnes, his wife, of 64 years.

John was a man of deep faith. He was a daily communicant throughout his life and centered his life around his faith. His devotion to Our Blessed Mother and the rosary was one of his greatest gifts of faith to share with his children. Each night the family would gather together in the living room where he would lead them in praying the Rosary. Walking by his room it was not uncommon to see him at his bedside, on his knees, praying in the early morning or evening hours. He was humble, simple and good. But most of all he was an example to his seven children on how to live a life of constant faith.

John loved his family. He never took himself too seriously and loved a good laugh, a good joke, and a good cup of coffee. He was always there for his children, individually or collectively. If he couldn’t be found you knew where to find him, in his music room, playing the piano, composing his music, or reading a book on music theory. He filled the home, not only with his faith and love for his family, but also with his music. He taught all his children to play various instruments, which would later lead them to join bands, start bands, and have a true love for all things music.

He retired from the Dracut School System after teaching music for twenty-two years. During this time he also provided for his large family by tuning, repairing, rebuilding and selling pianos. Later in retirement he also taught private music lessons in his home.

John loved what he loved, his faith in God, his wife and family, and his music.

John is survived by his six children, Joseph LaCroix and his wife, Sandy, Timothy LaCroix and his wife, Christine, Paul LaCroix and his wife Monica, Mary Shattuck and her husband, Ken, Matthew LaCroix and his wife Bianca and John LaCroix and his wife Elizabeth. He is also survived by his seventeen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as his brother Gustav LaCroix.

Sadly, in addition to his wife, Agnes, and his parents, John was pre-deceased by his son Daniel F. LaCroix, his grandson Nathan J. LaCroix, his great grandchildren Aubriee LaCroix, Jayden and Julian Cantey, as well as his sister Aline Laliberte.

A special thanks to Charles his hospice nurse of two plus years and Linda his angelic caregiver.

Relatives and friends are invited to John’s visitation on TUESDAY, August 4th from 4 until 7 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on WEDNESDAY, August 5th at 9 AM in St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua. Interment to follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Hudson. Fond memories or expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. ANCTIL-ROCHETTE.com