Louis E. LaGrand, Ph.D., passed away peacefully at his home in Venice on June 4, 2019 at the age of 83.

Dr. LaGrand was a Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York, College at Potsdam, and Adjunct Professor of Health Careers at the Eastern Campus of Suffolk Community College in Riverhead, New York.

For more than 40 years, Dr. LaGrand worked as a certified grief counselor and led workshops around the world to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. He was a highly regarded, and much sought-after, international speaker, giving lectures at companies, schools, hospices and health agencies.

Dr. LaGrand started the first course on bereavement and death at Potsdam College and was founding president of Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley. He was a member of the grief support team for the TWA disaster off Long Island in 1996. In addition, Dr. LaGrand worked for years as a bereavement coordinator at Our Lady of Lourdes Church and St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Venice.

As a best-selling author of eight books and multiple articles, Dr. LaGrand was known for his work worldwide on the extraordinary experiences of the bereaved. His first two books on the subject, including Messages and Miracles: The Extraordinary Experiences of the Bereaved, have been translated into several languages.

Louis Edward LaGrand was born on Sept. 18, 1935 in Utica, New York and attended Whitesboro High School where he lettered in four sports, including football, basketball, baseball and track. He later graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland where he was a standout basketball player.

In his early career, Dr. LaGrand was head basketball coach at Potsdam College. He also holds advance degrees from Columbia University, Notre Dame and Florida State University.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Barbara; four sons, Christopher, Gregory (Teresa), Scott and Stephen. He's also survived by five grandchildren, Jacob, Zachary Crews, Olivia, Alexandra and Chloe LaGrand; his sisters, Joan Rockefeller and Judy Pender; as well as nieces and nephews. He's also survived by his beloved companion "Brooklyn."

A funeral mass will take place on Wed., June 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Venice at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club. All are welcome to attend.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Tidewell Hospice of Venice, especially to Dr. LaGrand's nurses Lisa Gutman and Joy Gollnick. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tidewell Hospice.

To share a memory of Louis or to leave the family a special condolence please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Venice Gondolier Sun on Jun. 8, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis LaGrand

6 Entries

Kathtryn Marocchino, PhD, FT

July 19, 2021

Very sadly, I just learned of Louis's passing and am deeply sorrowful for his family's loss. I first heard him speak at the very first ADEC conference I attended in 2005 and remember being mesmerized by his talk on Extraordinary Experiences of the Bereaved, which have informed a great deal of my own life's work in animal hospice over these past 23 years. After that initial meeting, I would always make a point of seeking him out at future ADEC conferences, and we would chat about his work, his books, and his new-found interest in gathering EE stories from grieving animal caregivers, who had similar stories to tell. I miss him dearly, and I hope that wherever he is in God's great universe, he rests in light and in comfort. May his family find solace and peace in knowing what a significant difference he made in the lives of so many clients, so many colleagues, and so many people worldwide who read, and were inspired by his books. Louis once said, "Mystery is a catalyst that makes meaning possible," and I have never forgotten that. I hope that by now, he has managed to bestow on his family the gift of an Extraordinary Experience in some way, shape or form. I can't imagine that he hasn't because that's who Louis was--always inquiring, always recording, always learning something new--and so willing to share it with others. Whatever the answer to the great mystery may be, Louis, I know you have found it.

Jim & Marty Julien

July 14, 2019

To the Family: Lou helped my wife and I so much when our to adult children passed in 2013. We had read his book in Indianapolis and just "happened" to be vacationing in Venice that summer. A truly great man. Blessings to you all. Jim & Marty Julien

Gail

June 19, 2019

You were a "light" Lou. Rest in peace

Paul Gigliotti

June 12, 2019

To the family of Lou, so very sorry to hear if your great loss. Lou was a true friend both in High School and in College. Lou was a great athlete and a great student at Cortland.. RIP
Coach Paul Gigliotti

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June 10, 2019

It was such a pleasure to get to know your family in such a difficult time. Thinking of you ~ Lisa Guttman, RN

Rich Johns

June 6, 2019

Dr. Lagrand meant so much to so many. His legacy will live on through the thousands he touch.
For me it was meeting him at Potsdam in 1969. I was lucky that he would be assigned or volunteered to coach the tennis team. I can remember his wisdom then and until we communicated in January.
He always believed in me and for that I will always be grateful.
I loved Coach Lagrand and all the knowledge he shared with me.
Rich Johns
SUNY Potsdam 72'

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