Commander Jacques Benonie {Ben} LaPerche

Commander Jacques Benonie (Ben) LaPerche, 85, of Thurmont, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at his residence.

He was born December 7, 1923, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was the son of the late Benonie LaPerche and Marie Brindamoor.

He was retired from the U. S Navy, a veteran of 22 years naval service. He served overseas in the Solomon's Campaign in 1942-1943 as an enlisted man. During WWII, he was selected in 1944 for naval flight training and completed his training in 1946. He was commissioned as Ensign upon completion of his training and served in aviation organizations until 1950 when he was transferred to general line duties. He saw action during the Korean Action serving on a heavy cruiser. After the Korean conflict, and until his retirement in 1963, he served on several destroyers and destroyer escorts. His last sea duty was in command of a radar picket destroyer. At the time of his retirement he was serving in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. Since his retirement he was employed by the Vitro Corp. for several years and most recently owned and operated the Foothills Antique Shoppe in Urbana, MD.

He was a member of the Silver Eagles Assoc., Washington, D.C. Wing, Retired Officers Assoc., V.F.W. Post in Thurmont and the American Legion Post in Emmitsburg, PA.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Virginia, formally of San Francisco, CA; daughter, Jeanne Reid, of California; daughter, Linda Adams and husband Harold of Maryland; daughter Patricia Reidy and husband William of Illinois; granddaughter Andrea Crabb and husband Steven, of Florida; grandson, Thomas Adams and wife Mary, of Maryland; grandson Douglas Reidy and wife Anna of Illinois; and six great-grandchildren, Declan, Morgan and Jackson Adams, Grayson Crabb, and Cailin and Connor Reidy. He is survived by two sisters, Irene Demchak of Connecticut, and Lucille Bragg, of Rhode Island.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 East Main Street, Thurmont.

Services: A funeral mass will be offered at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 103 North Church Street, Thurmont. Interment will be held at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.