LACASSE, RICHARD J.

Richard J. LaCasse passed away peacefully March 17, 2012, at his home in Bradenton, Fla. He was born in Flint, to Joseph and Myrtle LaCasse.

He was a member of Edson’s Marine Raiders, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for service in World War II in the Pacific, participating in action in Tulagi, Guadalcanal, Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian, Marianas Islands, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. He also was activated during the Korean War.

Richard joined the Michigan State Police Force in 1948. He was stationed in Monroe, Marquette, Cadillac, Bay City, Flat Rock and Bad Axe. He retired as Lt. Commander of the Bad Axe Post in 1974. He was a devout Catholic, took pleasure in family and friends and was an avid fisherman.

He is survived by son, Martin LaCasse (Rebecca) of Richland; daughters, Lorraine (Jerry) Potter of Bradenton, Fla., and Barbara (Kenneth) Ross of Bad Axe; sisters, Estelle (Dean) Kneisel and Velma Brozosky of Flint; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service and burial will be conducted at Sacred Heart Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012.