FORT ANN – Michael LaCross, 66, passed away at his home early in the week of October 29th, 2018, due to complications caused by a rare hereditary condition known as Kartagener’s Syndrome.
Born on March 12, 1952, in Trenton, NJ, he was the son of Robert LaCross and the late Irene (Clough) LaCross, both of Hudson Falls.
Mike attended Hudson Falls schools, but graduated in 1970 from Katella High School in Anaheim, CA, his family having moved to California in 1968. He attended California State University, Fullerton, where he majored in History.
Mike’s passions were writing, history, genealogy, and the Feeder Canal Alliance. His 15-year career as a writer of children’s fiction was terminated due to being disabled for 5 years with health issues, including lower back pain. Because natural methods ended his pain, Mike developed a new passion. He attended the NM School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, becoming certified as a Natural Therapeutic Specialist. He then became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 1997.
Michael worked as a massage therapist at the Roosevelt Mineral Baths in Saratoga from 2000 until the time of his death. This was his calling, one of the high points of his life.
Mike was predeceased by his mother, Irene LaCross, and his brother-in-law, Paul Jewell.
He was survived by his father, Robert LaCross of Hudson Falls, his sister, Diane (LaCross) Jewell, of Eagle, Idaho, his two nieces, Lisa (Jewell) Mondoux and her family, of Rosamond, CA, and Jessica (Jewell) Greene and her husband, of La Mesa, CA, and his nephew, Sean Jewell and his wife, of Fife, WA.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. 68 Main Street, in Hudson Falls.
A Mass will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8th at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of committal will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Feeder Canal Alliance, 21 Thomson Ave., Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Worked with Michael 18 years. I will miss him terribly.He will always be remembered as one of the special people in my life.
Mike was our neighbor and friend for many years. He always joined us for birthday and holiday parties taking pictures and making movies for the family. Mike also built a special bond with Cameron our son. Cameron was always helping Mike when ever he needed it from mowing his lawn to putting something together. Through out the years he built a wonderful friendship with the Mattison family. Mike will be greatly miss by our family. I still look out the window waiting for him to return home. It wont be the same anymore. Fly high Mike.