Sydney

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, James Sidney LaRusic, on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Miners Memorial Manor located in Sydney Mines, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Sydney, on April 16, 1944, dad was the first-born son to the late James Timothy and Mary Edna (Joyce) LaRusic.

Dad lived in Bay St. Lawrence from the age of 2 until the age of 15 when his family then moved back to Sydney. Years later he met the love of his life, Jane at a bus stop on Charlotte Street, and they started their own family. He spent most of his life as an electrician working for Marquee Construction for many years until it’s closure then opening his own company Sid’s Electric Ltd. where he worked until his stroke in May of 2022.

Dad worked his whole life to provide for us, both he and our grandfather Tim built our family home, and he made sure there was love in it everyday. He was the backbone of our family and was so supportive to us no matter what we needed both growing up and when we became adults. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally. We will miss him so much!

Dad was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Mira Road) until its closure then became a member of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish. He was involved with the choir in both parishes where he would strum his Q-Chord with great pride and joy. Dad was also involved with the Parish Council and attended many Cursillo weekends which strengthened his faith with God.

Dad loved music and loved to play his Q-Chord and was always up for a party where he could bring his instrument to play and sing. He was also a member of the Nova Scotia Kitchen Party during Covid where he would entertain his audience every Sunday for a couple of hours.

He was a member of the IBEW, local 1852, Knights of Columbus, The Optimist Club, The Children’s Wish Foundation, The Sydney Curling Club, volunteered with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle, and in his younger years he was a member of the Mira Road Volunteer Fire Department.

Before moms passing, they were avid travellers and loved a good trip down south once a year with many of their friends. They also travelled to Haiti many times where dad, along with his brother-in-law, Ronnie, would donate their time to assist his sister-in-law, Sr. Margaret Ann Lorway with the electrical work on medical clinics, schools, and many other projects.

Dad will always be remembered for quick wit, his ability to solve any problem (including his daily sudoku and crypto quotes). His unwavering kindness to anyone that crossed his path and of course his love for the poor Toronto Maple Leaf’s.

Dad is survived by his children, Brent (Darlene) LaRusic, Michelyn (Jamie) Hawco, Michelle MacNeil and John (Tammy) LaRusic; grandchildren, Robbie, Mark, Brandon, Bryden, Abigail, Emily, Myles, Samantha, Kyle, Emily, Jermey and great-grandchildren, Aidan, Wrenley, Ariella, Hunter, Zayden, Declan, CharlieRay and Elliot.

He is also survived by brothers, Greg (MaryJane), Edward (Selina), Douglas (Darlene) and Lorne (Jayne); sister Pauline Graham (Connie); in-laws, Robert (Buck) Allday, Sr. Margaret Anne Lorway, Shirley Lorway, and Edie LaRusic; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Dad was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Jane; father-in-law, John Lorway, mothers-in-law, Charlotte and Etta; sisters, Marie Allday and Joyce Evans; brother, Willie; son-in-law, Michael; sisters-in-law, Jeanette, Nette, Carmel (Chase) and brothers-in-law, Earl Chase, Richard Graham and Ronnie Lorway.

We the family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at the Miners Memorial Manor. Their compassion and unwavering care for dad over the past two years will always be remembered.

Visitation for the late Sid LaRusic will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025.  A Memorial Mass will be held in the St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Cottage Road, Sydney, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Bill Burke officiating. Interment to take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney.

Donations in memory of Sid may be made to the Miners Memorial Manor or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.

Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.

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