Jacque "Jack" LaPrarie, Sr.
July 6, 1963 ~ December 23, 2024
Born in:
Bay Shore , NY
Resided in:
Smithtown, NY
On December 23, 2024, we tragically lost the foundation of The LaPrarie Family, Jacque LaPrarie Sr. His passing was blindsiding and quick. A dedicated PE Teacher at Tackan Elementary and Football Coach at Smithtown HS West, he lived to help others. To those that knew Jack, it is well-known he was always available to give a selfless helping hand. To know him was to love him, and he loved you too.
There are too many memorable moments and accomplishments to list, but most recently Jack was inducted into the Sachem Hall Of Fame, being recognized for his outstanding achievements in High School and College Football. He was proud to pass his experiences and love of the game on to his son.
In lieu of flowers, his wife Cynthia is asking that a donation be made to Jacque Jr’s college fund. He is currently as sophomore at Stony Brook University and will be transferring to Cortland to play for the Red Dragons.
Donations can be made here:https://gofund.me/1135f16d
Services
Visitation: Sunday, December 29, 2024 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home of Commack
2115 Jericho Turnpike
Commack, NY 11725
Mass: Monday, December 30, 2024 11:00 am
St. Joseph RCC Kings Park
59 Church Street
KINGS PARK, NY 11754
Sending love and prayers to you, Cynthia, and your family.
Sending prayers, love and hugs to you and your family
Sending love and prayers to Cynthia and family!
Sending prayers to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
Jacque was a wonderful teacher, coach, and colleague. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
Sending you and your family so much love during this most difficult time. I am so sorry to learn of this loss.
Mourning the loss of a great man. May God Bless you all forever. Sincere Condolences and prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss. When I think of Jack I think of the ideal team player – humble, hungry and emotionally smart. He was an awesome teammate and an all around great guy. He will be sorely missed. Deepest sympathy.
Im so sorry for your loss. He was my favorite PE teacher at Tackan. Sending prayers to the family. He will be greatly missed.
Spent many hours on the sidelines with Jack at our sons sporting events. Low key, even-keeled type of guy. 2 words sum up Jack, Gentleman Jack. So instead of toasting with an adult beverage, have a bag of Jacks favorite, peanut M&Ms. My sincere condolences to Cynthia and Jack.
“I am deeply saddened by this loss, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the LaPrarie family. I grew up across the street from Jack, and though I was younger, I will never forget how he took the time to teach me how to throw a football. His kindness and patience meant a lot to me. To the LaPrarie family, I am so sorry for your loss.”
It was my absolute honor to work beside Jacque for the past six and a half years. He was a true professional with a passion for creating smiles for the children he served. A gentleman, great teacher, awesome coworker, all around great man. He has impacted so many lives and will be incredibly missed. My heart will forever be empty without him at Tackan. Jacque, thank you for helping me adjust to elementary life and I will forever be grateful for our work experience together! Rest in Peace.
My heartfelt and deepest condolences and prayers to the LaPrarie family.
we are so sorry for your loss
Sending so much love to you and Jack. We are so sorry for your loss. Cathleen John and Kyle Cronins
I’m just completely devastated for you all. Knowing Jacque since childhood, a good, humble friend. Praying for strength, love to guide you through. God bless and rest his soul.
Sending love and prayers to you all
Rest easy
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of you. We are heart broken over Jack’s passing.Jack was an incredible person and such a joy to be around. it has been an honor knowing him and spending countless hours together through all the baseball years. He always knew what inning we were in and answered the same question time and time again with a smile. His presence made everyone at ease and I personally love the special friendship that Jack and Jimmy built. You are in our hearts and forever in our prayers. With love always, The Conk Family .
Our deepest sympathies to the LaPraire family and those who knew Jack extremely well. It is heartbreaking to know that a special man like Jack who was a one of a kind special person, will surely be missed but never forgotten. 🏈
I was so sorry to read of Jack’s passing. I worked with him at Tackan as the Physical therapist. He was always so helpful, friendly, and happy when I passed him in the hallway, or he was helping me borrow equipment or when we were discussing our mutual students. Him and your family, Cynthia, will be in my prayers.
Sending my sincere condolences to your family! I will always remember him being so kind and sweet . So sorry for all !
My deepest condolences. I went to school with Jack and remember always seeing him smiling. RIP Jack. I pray his family can find strength through this tough time.
Jack was a kind and soft spoken person. Our lives are better for knowing and having him, and your family in our lives. His loss is great and can never be replaced. We will miss the backyard corn hole games and seeing you on Sundays at the Vercillo’s . May you rest in peace.
Jack was a kind and soft spoken person. Our lives are better for knowing and having him, and your family in our lives. His loss is great and can never be replaced. We will miss the backyard corn hole games and seeing you on Sundays at the Vercillo’s . May you rest in peace.
Sending prayers, love and thoughts to your family. Jack was a kind & gentle man and will never be forgotten
Celentano Family
What a amazing person …Jack always had a smile on his face.. he will be missed.. Dublin Deck will not be the same without Jack. God bless his family during this difficult time.
Our sincere condolences for your loss. May you all find comfort in the loving memories you have shared and may he rest in peace. Deb and Paul Trudnak.
My condolences to the LaPrarie family.What a shock.
I will always treasure our time and friendship playing football at Sachem HS.Coach would send us up Pre-game in the Courtyard so he could warm up his arm.I always had to tell him to take it easy, he threw so hard he would rip the skin from my hands.Rest easy my Friend.
I’m so sorry for your heartbreaking loss, Cynthia. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Rest in Peace Jack # 12 from your Center in 1980 – 81. God Grant Me The Serenity To Accept The Things I Can Not Change The Courage To Change The Things I Can And The Wisdom To Know The Difference.
Cindy,
I cannot imagine what you’re going through! My heart hurts for you! I’m giving you the biggest hug right now! May god guide you through this hard time.
Of the hundreds of thousands of players who have taken the field in the past 40 years, Jack was the greatest player the Long Island Flag Football League has ever seen. Bar none. But equally impressive was his sportsmanship and personality. A Mentor and the complete Gentleman. Our heartfelt condolences from the league office and all of our players to his family and loved ones.
George Higgins
Dan Fina
John Principe
Nick Miller
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Jack was a remarkable person whose kindness and warmth touched everyone who knew him. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
With our deepest sympathy, Jerry and Annette Figgiani
My dearest Rosemary and family. I am so sorry for the loss of Jack. Jacqueline and I will always think of the wedding you brought her too. Our prayers are with you all. Rest in Peace Jack.
To the LaPrairie family, I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’m wishing you all the strength, comfort, and support you need at this time. Mr. LaPrairie was my Tackan gym teacher. (I was class of ‘07 so it was way back when.) I always remember him and Mr. Lambert as being so kind, patient, and funny even to the kids like me who weren’t necessarily the most athletic at the time. I always had so much fun in gym class. Mr. LaPrairie’s jokes and kindness are how I’ll always remember him.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Sending you all so much strength and love during this sad time.
While I never had the opportunity to work in the same building as Jack, we have been a part of the same “Team”, The Smithtown P.E. Dept. Team, for over 30 years. Jack’s strong, yet gentle and kind presence will be greatly missed. He was a true professional and well respected colleague.
Sending wishes of strength, love, and peace to Jack’s family during this very difficult time.
Sending our deepest sympathies. Knowing him as a teacher, a colleague, and parent was truly a privilege. He touched so many lives with his kindness and will be deeply missed.
I have such a find memory of tailgating with the LaPrarie family at a Rutgers game. You are such a warm loving family. I’m so so sorry for your loss.
I think you are the most loving and connected family I know. I remember meeting him at Rutgers and hearing all the amazing stories about his football career but mostly about being an amazing person and brother and son. He will be sorely missed. May he rip.
My dear friend and neighbor, Rosemary, I can’t even find the words to say how sorry I am for your loss.. I knew Jack since he was 12 years old. So handsome and polite. To his sisters my heart aches for you.. This is truly a loss of a wonderful person. You are all in my prayers 🙏 ❤️ RIP Jack.
Thoughts and prayers
Dear Jack,
You are a very special person.
Early in my career, I worked with you as a substitute.
The most fun classes ever because we played with the kids.
Patti
I am so sorry to find out about Jack’s passing.
He had everything to live for, and he lived for every one.
I, and the rest of his beautiful family will love, and miss him, every day,
until we some day all meet again.
You are right. Thank you, Dad.
Sending love and condolences to all the LaPrarie’s. So very sorry.
My dear friend,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To the family and friends of Jacque, So sorry for your loss. Jacque will be greatly missed. Having met and worked with him at the Park Bench for many years was a honor and a privilege. He was one of a kind, especially as a gifted athlete and more as a complete person. His genuine qualities seemed to rub off on all those that surrounded him. He will be forever in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Drew Dunleavy and family.
I refereed many of Jacks flag football games as well as his son’s PAL games. He was a great competitor on the field and passed that trait onto his son. More importantly he always respected his competitors and the referees. Jack was one of a kind and will me missed.
Sending love and prayers to all of you!
My sincere condolences for your devastating loss. The SCSD family and community were lucky to have worked with such wonderful man. He will be missed by so many. Rest easy Jack. Know that you have left a monumental mark on this earth and a huge loss for us all. God Bless your family and know that so many of us care. With sympathy,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I played flag football with Jack and he always had a passion for the game and for life. He will be missed.
Jack you will be forever in my heart and mind for the time we worked together! You will never be forgotten.
This is truly a devastating loss to anyone that got the privilege to know Jacque. I worked with Jacque at the Park Bench in the 80’s where we become friends. He truly was an all around great guy and will be missed by all.My sincere condolences go out to all of his family and friends
My first PE teacher when I moved to Smithtown in 4th grade. Deck hockey in the mornings before school. Flag football. He rooted for girls in sports and was simply the best. I didn’t know it back then but his early impact is probably one of the reasons why I pursued a career in PE. Great teachers make all the difference! And he undoubtedly was one of the greats. Gym with Mr. LaPrarie and Ms. Smith, those were the days. My heart goes out to the LaPrarie family. Sending prayers of love and strength. He is always with you 🤍
Deepest condolences to the entire LaPrarie family. So so sorry for your loss…
My condolences to Jacque’s family
I met Jacque when he was a high profile, larger than life star quarterback at Rutgers. I was a lowly walk wide receiver and teammate . Jacque had no reason to have anything to do with me but he was always, friendly, kind and classy. He was so positive and fun to be around and was such a good guy. May God bless his family during this difficult time.
“Grief doesn’t end, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. It is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith. It is the price of love.”
We are so deeply sorry for your loss.