LELAND — For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). On Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at 4:02 p.m., retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. John Joseph “Jack” LaBruyere, 79, began his eternity in heaven.
Jack was born July 1, 1938, to Lewis and Ruth LaBruyere in Teaneck, N.J. He was raised in Pearl River, N.Y., with his younger sister. He joined the Army ROTC during college, served two years active duty in Korea after graduating from University of Dayton, and continued on with the Reserve Corps for almost three decades.
Anyone who knew him knew that the Army and our U.S. military were his passion.
Throughout his adult life, the LaBruyere family lived all over the country – from New York to Maine to Ohio to Missouri to Illinois to California to Florida. He raised four daughters and was an active father – coaching softball and soccer for his girls. For the last 13 years, he was living in North Carolina with his wife, Anne, where he found his eternal happiness.
Jack had a wonderful sense of humor, sprinkled with sarcasm, and had no problem sharing his opinions with others. He loved to play cards of any kind, but certainly poker was his preference. He sang karaoke regularly and had a beautiful voice singing his favorite Frank Sinatra tunes – especially “New York, New York.” He loved to golf and spend time with family and friends, whether in California or on the east coast.
He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Michele, and his parents. He is survived by his daughters, Denise Marie Dimock, Karen Jean Everett and Traci Ann Orloff; wife, Anne LaBruyere; eight grandchildren; sister, Donna Vhrel; six step-grandchildren; and three stepchildren, Colleen, Thomas and Roger Smith.
A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Bradley Creek Chapel, Wilmington. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary’s, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Step Up for Soldiers.
