Obituary of Jean T. "JACK" LaBelle

Jean Thomas “Jack” LaBelle, 92, of Peabody, husband of the late Alice H. (Ellsey) LaBelle, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House with his loving and caring family at his side. Jack was born in Salem on April 10, 1924 son of John B. LaBelle and Nettie M. (Kimball) LaBelle. Raised and educated in Peabody he graduated from Peabody High School in 1941. In 1943 he enlisted into U.S. Army and served as Technician 5th Class with the 282nd Post Company in the European Theater of Operations being honorably discharged in 1945. Jack began his working career as a salesman at Alpers Clothing Store on Foster Street in Peabody retiring 40 years later as its manager. “When you needed new outfits Jack was the man to see.” During his career at Alpers, Jack was also an active member of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce. He devoted his entire life to his family and community, was very active at St. John the Baptist Church as a parishioner, lector, choir member, the Holy Name Society and he and Alice were also volunteers at the Peabody Council on Aging. Jack is survived by 3 daughters, Helen A. Dukehart and her husband Andrew of Topsfield, Patricia M. LaBelle and her wife Brenda Gilfillan of VT, and Barbara J. Harnois and her husband John of ME; his cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Dukehart and his wife Katie, and Brian Dukehart; his siblings and their spouses James LaBelle, Leo and Elaine LaBelle, Ada Bonsaint, Marion and John Kohut, Rita and Harold Tuttle, and Dorothy and John Ruest, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Charles Thomas LaBelle and his siblings Paul LaBelle, June LaBelle and Joan Perakis. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church Street, Peabody. As per his wishes there will be no viewing hours. A family committal of his ashes will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to St. John the Baptist Parish, 17 Rear Chestnut Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for online obituary and memorial guest book.