Eugene “Jim” Wilfred Lajoie

Dayville – Eugene (Jim) Wilfred Lajoie, 95, passed peacefully on Monday the 9th of May 2022. He was the beloved husband of Elise Marie (Liz) Lajoie for 68 years. He was born in North Grosvenordale, CT in 1927 to the late Exeas and Alice (Bellerose) Lajoie.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on the 13th of December 1944. Jim (as he was known to most) served our country honorably assisting in the construction of the main runway at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Subic Bay, Philippines, where his son-in-law’s (Michael) Marine Squadron landed jet fighters years later in the 1980’s, a testament to the quality of his work. Having served our country faithfully in the United States Navy during World War II, he was honored with the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with star. He was an active member of the American Legion until his passing. Jim’s service to our country did not end there, starting as a basic carpenter at General Dynamics (Electric Boat) in Groton. Jim eventually rose to the level of Superintendent of Carpentry responsible for over 1,000 employees. In a parting act of respect, on the day of his retirement, he had the honor of “pulling the trigger” to physically launch the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757). She is one of many nuclear submarines he helped build to continue the protection of our nation.

Jim cherished hosting gatherings with his family and friends around the family swimming pool and weekend barbecues. Jim and his beloved wife enjoyed 28 years of retirement with his brother Pete and wife Lillian (Lil) in Summerfield, FL. He played softball in a community league until he was 75 and ran the weekly bingo for 25 years with his brother by his side, famously known as the “Lajoie Bingo Brothers”. He and Liz eventually returned to Connecticut in 2020 to be with their extended families.

In addition to his wife, Eugene leaves behind his three daughters; Carol Foster and her husband Craig of Glastonbury, Sandra Dowell and her husband Michael of Montgomery, TX and Karen Lajoie of South Windsor; as well as his brothers Roland “Pete” Lajoie of Dayville and Paul Lajoie of Quinebaug, CT. He also leaves his six beautiful grandchildren: Christopher, Erin, Matthew, Amanda, Casey, Caitlin; and his great grandson, Ashton. He was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings, Phillip Lajoie, Gerald Lajoie, Norman Lajoie, Lorraine Breault, Claire Bossier, Theresa Beauregard, Rachel Gibson, Margaret Piekarczyk, and Louise Robbins.

Relatives and friends may visit with Eugene’s family from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Friday, May 13, 2022, in the Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org in lieu of flowers. For memorial guestbook please visit www.gilmanandvalade.com

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