James Charles LaBue, 90, of Oil City, died October 23, 2014 in his home after a two-year battle with mesothelioma.
Born October 26, 1923 in Brockway, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary Grecco LaBue.
Jim served in the Army’s 45th Infantry “the Thunderbirds” during WW II from 1943 to 1945 and saw action in Africa, Italy, France and Germany where they liberated a prison camp. He was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in Anzio, Italy. After discharge, he moved to Oil City to live with his sister Ro and her husband, where he met Millie, his wife.
Jim was a 64 year member of the Second Presbyterian Church and served as a Trustee.
He worked 41 years for MC Strickland Construction. He built and/or remodeled a vast number of schools, churches, homes and major building in the area. Jim enjoyed his life’s work as a carpenter and after he retired in 1986, he continued to work in his basement workshop building furniture for his family. He was always willing and ready to help with any project in and around his family’s homes. He was a 50 year member of the Carpenters’ Union.
Jim always enjoyed talking with his former co-workers about their building and the joys and problems of the jobs. He also enjoyed watching work being done around the city, especially the bridge replacements. Many of the retirees would gather to be “sidewalk superintendents” and critique the work.
Jim and Millie enjoyed wintering in St. Cloud, Florida for the past 20 some years and made many good friends there with whom they still keep in touch.
On November 11, 1950 he married the former Mildred Johnston, who survives. They were married in the Second Presbyterian Church in Oil City by the Reverend G. Mason Cochran.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by 4 children, Lynne Bryan and husband Ron of Oil City, Mark LaBue of Oil City, Anne Coughlin and husband JP of Hatfield, PA and John LaBue and wife Joan of Wheaton, IL; 7 grandchildren, Christopher Emick of Oil City, Kate Coughlin of Philadelphia, Julie Coughlin of Arlington, VA, Amy Coughlin of State College, Ryan LaBue of Lakeview, NY, Elizabeth LaBue of Wheaton, IL and Jamie LaBue of Wheaton, IL.
Also surviving are his sisters, Rosalie Armstrong of Florida, Frances Bozich of Crescent, PA and Josephine Taylor and husband Boyd of Brockway; a special niece Sharon Mylarski and her husband Denny and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers-in-law, Frederick Bozich and Frank Armstrong.
Family will receive friends at the Morrison Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Monday at the Second Presbyterian Church, 111 Reed St., Oil City with Rev. Greg Gillispie, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial be made to the Second Presbyterian Church, 111 Reed St. Oil City, PA 16301 or to a charity of one’s choice
