Gary Richard LaGrange

Gary LaGrange, 57

Wynantskill-Gary LaGrange, who was retired from full-time service to the New York Army National Guard Headquarters in Latham, died on Friday at home in Wynantskill, NY, after a short struggle with cancer. He was 57.

LaGrange served in the Army National Guard for nearly all of his adult life, attaining the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was called to active duty by the Army during the Persian Gulf War, when he was a Sergeant First Class, and was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious achievement during that conflict. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for sustained meritorious service to the Army and the Army National Guard.

In a break from military service during the late 1970s and early 1980s, LaGrange was the caretaker at a number of Rensselaer County's Catholic cemeteries. During the same period, he and his family lived on a small family farm in Pittstown, NY.

LaGrange was born on November 11, 1948, in Schenectady, NY. He was a 1966 graduate of Troy High School, and as an adult attended Hudson Valley Community College and Army training courses, including the Army's Sergeants Major Academy, in which he was enrolled at the time of his retirement. He was a life-long resident of the Capital District. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of country and attention to detail in his performance of his duties to the Army and the New York Army National Guard.

He was predeceased by a brother, James Aurelius, in 1989. He is survived by many friends and family members, including his parents, Jeanne Morgan and Philo LaGrange, both of Florida; a sister, Cheri Hannan, and her husband, James, of Brunswick; a daughter, Lisa LaGrange, and her fiance, Josh Lane, of Cross Junction, VA; a son, Josh LaGrange, and his wife, Kristen Coviello, of Palo Alto, CA; a niece, Michele Ferritto, and her husband Carl and son Jaime, of Wynantskill; a nephew, Jay Hannan, his wife Nicole and their daughters, Tarryn and Elizabeth, of Brunswick; his former wife, Denise LaGrange; and his long-time friend and colleague, Timothy Farnham, of Berne. His family would like to thank the many friends who gave him comfort during his final months.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 9am at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy with Rev. David Martin, Pastor of the Hope United Methodist Church, officiating. A military burial will be held Tuesday at 10:30am at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.

Contributions may be made in memory of Gary LaGrange to the American Cancer Society 260 Osborne Road Loudonville, NY 12211.

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