James Lagoon

1916 - 2016

James Lagoon, 99, of Lower Burrell, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. He was born May 7, 1916, in Luzerne, a son of the late Charles and Grace Licata. He lived in the New Kensington/Lower Burrell area his entire life and was a member of Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. He was a proud Army veteran and served his country honorably as a private in the Selectees during World War II. He worked 12 years for Alcoa and retired in 1967 from PPG Glassware after 27 years. He also owned and operated Hilltop Tavern in New Kensington for 47 years until becoming ill at 90. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, traveling and watching all sports. He will be deeply missed by his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth (Girardi) Lagoon; two brothers, Phillip Licata and Charles Lagoon; grandson, Christian Lagoon; and great-granddaughter, Gianna Henderson. He is survived by a son, James (Barbara) Lagoon Jr., and daughter, Sheryl Swanderski, both of Lower Burrell; six grandchildren, Michael (Loretta) Lagoon, of Maryland, Robert (Gretchen) Lagoon, of Zelienople, Erika (Donny) Henderson, of Lower Burrell, Jennifer Wissinger and Jodi White, both of Florida, and Jessica (Ryan) Walsh, of New York City; and eight great-grandchildren, Kate and Lauren Lagoon, Gabriel and Julian Lagoon, Genevieve and Gia Henderson, Emily Wissinger and James White III. His family would like to thank Concordia Lutheran Health and Human Care for their dedication, love and care during his last nine years.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, John Paul Bertucci, owner/supervisor. Prayers of transfer will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.
To leave an online condolence, visit giunta-bertucci.com.