Jay R. LaGace

June 28, 1966 - January 3, 2022

Jay R. LaGace, 55, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 2004, formerly of Kenosha, WI, passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 in Cape Coral. He was born June 28, 1966 in Berwyn, IL.

Jay was a friend who understood loyalty. He was a family man who loved his daughters more than anything. Jay was a giant in the real estate community for over 16 years. In his free time he loved being out on his boat, the “Nauti Reeltor”. Jay loved fishing and the water was always his happy place, whether that was the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Michigan. He loved helping out in the community especially if it meant making a kids christmas or birthday dreams come true. Jay had an affinity for veterans and first responders which was demonstrated as a founder of the “Back The Blue And Green Organization”. Jay was of the Catholic Faith. The City of Cape Coral is a better city having had Jay as one of its civic leaders.

He is survived by his loving mother, Gerrie Johnnic of Cape Coral; children, Katie McCowen (Craig) of Cape Coral, and Taylor LaGace of Cape Coral; siblings, Lisa Sommerville (Jim) of Manhattan, IL, Kathy Sommerville (Bill) of North Fort Myers, FL, Gordon Johnnic (Jean) of Bolingbrook, IL, and Elaine Pietruszka (Pete) of Melrose Park, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews, and former wife, Sara Stevens of Alva, FL.

Jay was preceded in death by his father, Norman Johnnic and his brother, Larry LaGace.

A Remembrance Service will be held 4:00 PM on January 13th, 2022 at Cape Christian Fellowship, 2110 Chiquita Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33991.

Memorial Contributions, in memory of Jay R. LaGace, are suggested to: Caloosa Trains And Hobbies, Jay R. LaGace Memorial Charities, Inc., 1490 NE Pine Island Rd Bldg. 3, Unit E, Cape Coral, FL 33909.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Joel Reiser Jan 6, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    Jay was quite the character and a great guy! I lost many bets to him and his love of the Packers! May he rest is peace!

  2. Amy dupont Jan 6, 2022 at 6:02 pm

    Hey Jay, miss you you old fart!! Your were a dear friend. And always will be!! I know you are feeling better now and I’m sure your giving heaven a piece of your mind!!
    Miss you my dear friend ❤️

  3. Scott A. Herron Jan 6, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    Dude, taken way too early .. but easy to see that God needed you there, because you are one of the best human beings and he figured you’d make for an even better Angle.
    My brother from another .. I will cherish every memory on the boat, (coming back in that storm.. holy thunderstorm Batman HA!!! That was fun!!) sitting on the dock on Fridays, or just hanging at your place talking.. solving ours and the world’s problems.
    You were there in good times and for sure were there in the bad. Thank you for everything. I am a better human being because of you! Living Free my brother!

    My brother .. I will see you again at the dock .. and I’ll bring the bait!!

  4. Maryjo Caliendo Jan 6, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    Jay was a grade/high school friend who I got reacquainted with. He loved talked about his daughters and fishing. He was a big hearted man, who will be missed. Rest In Peace my friend.

  5. Dave Mercado Jan 6, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    I haven’t seen Jay since we were young, we spent some good times together and some bad. I haven’t seen Jay since his first marriage and never knew where he dissapeered to! I would have loved to have met up again and talk about old times, sadly that time will never come..
    Rest well Jay, hope all is well on your new journey.

  6. Carol Gordon Jan 6, 2022 at 8:17 pm

    Jay
    RIP .a man with a huge ❤.

  7. Amy Kelly Jan 6, 2022 at 8:26 pm

    Rest In Peace Jay..I’m glad to have known you!

  8. AL Parish Jan 6, 2022 at 10:50 pm

    Give’em Hell in Heaven Jay as you always fought for the good!

  9. Dan Koehler Jan 7, 2022 at 6:23 am

    You were always helping people in need without asking for anything in return. You were a loyal friend you will be missed by many people and our community. Rest In Peace my friend

  10. Diana Watt Jan 7, 2022 at 7:56 am

    I loved him more than life itself and I will never be the same.

  11. Bill Habal Jan 7, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    Jay was way too young, but at least he’s out of pain, now. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great man

  12. Lori Hobin Jan 7, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    Jay you were a force of nature! We all know exactly where you stood. Your love for your girls and your passion for real estate. I miss your sense of humor already and your generous heart!❤️❤️🙏 REst in Gods glorious peace ❤️🙏

  13. Myst DePalma Jan 7, 2022 at 1:20 pm

    You were my Florida “person”.
    Being from CT whenever I needed a reliable referral for household help you were there.
    Cape Coral will not be the same.
    Till we meet again on the water some day healthy forever

  14. Elizabeth Masters Jan 7, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Losing you is tough for me, because whenever I needed something or had a question, I knew who to reach out to personally! It was great fun razzing each other about sports or politics and I’ll keep fond memories in my heart forever! Peace and love to the family and friends who were lucky enough to know you!

  15. Ron Bassett Jan 7, 2022 at 3:11 pm

    Ron & Judy Bassett, he sold our new construction homes. He had a great personality. We will miss him.

  16. Larry collins Jan 7, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    God bless you, and thanks for everything!

  17. Rusty Zakraysek Jan 8, 2022 at 9:55 am

    What a guy! Jay was the best! His loss will be felt through Cape Coral. Deepest sympathys to his family.

  18. Mike Dowling (Prompt Towing) Jan 8, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    What a tragic loss!! especially for his daughters but also for his Friends, Associates, Customers, the entire community and wow… Veterans and First Responders and families both!!! He had a huge passion to support and assist Veterans, First Responder and their Families! I know because I have been personally involved in a small part of it with him and his “partner in crime” Brother Vince. Vince I am so sorry Brother! Stay strong! He would expect that from you and his daughters! Prayers to you all, Another one of the good guys gone way to soon!

  19. Cossett Garcia Jan 8, 2022 at 6:52 pm

    Jay, you went way too soon. We never really got a chance to hang, but I looked up to you so much. You encouraged the little people, you helped the poor, went out of you way every single time for others. You stood up for what was right. You didn’t stay small because your heart can’t do small. I won’t forget you even though we never really knew each other, I am one of those you inspired without even knowing. One of many Jay, one of many. I hope and pray you found Joe Interbartolo up there in heaven and both are smiling down at us right now. Be proud of what you did, what you accomplished, and what you will accomplish still in the heart of so many, even after death! You are a star 💫 shining bright always and forever in my heart.

  20. Michael Duval Jan 8, 2022 at 8:40 pm

    I’m sorry I never got a chance to visit you in Florida particularly given how much fun we had fishing Wisco. I’ll miss you, Brother.

  21. Paul E Barnes Jan 8, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Jay I love guy buddy. You were taken too soon. I’ll never forget the things you taught me and the opportunities you presented me with that allowed me to grow as a person and a business owner! I miss you

  22. Paul E Barnes Jan 8, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Jay I love you buddy. You were taken too soon. I’ll never forget the things you taught me and the opportunities you presented me with that allowed me to grow as a person and a business owner! I miss you

  23. Sheila Sweeney Jan 8, 2022 at 10:43 pm

    My heart is broken. A Titan of SWFL is gone. I will never forget all that you did for me Jay! I’ll never forget all that you did for the community, I’ll never forget all those people we helped after the hurricanes, feeding them, removing trees, collecting donations, etc. I thank you for making me stay with your mother during the storm. It was where I got to meet your beautiful daughters. It forged a friendship that has stood the test of time with your Mom. I’ll never forget giving you a Trump Hat, and a Captain America T-Shirt. I’ll never forget you calling me late at night to tell me about the idiot who drove over my Trump Sign and he posted the video online. I’ll never forget working campaigns with you. You have 2 amazing girls that will continue to follow in your footsteps, they will continue to make you very very proud. Rest in Peace Jay.

  24. Missi Lastra Jan 8, 2022 at 10:52 pm

    What a devastating loss to our community. He was my friend. When Javi was fighting for his life, I came home from the hospital many a night to flowers or edible arrangements from Jay. He was always letting me know he was only a phone call away. He loved President Trump. I’ll never forget after Hurricane Irma, President Trump was coming to tour the damage. I was called from the advance person for Trump. They couldn’t find any local volunteer motorcade drivers to pass the secret service background. When I got the call we were all winding down from the heat at Micelli’s and letting loose a bit. I asked Jay if he wanted to drive for Trump? “Heck Yea” he said. And we spent the most awesome day driving in that motorcade. We always talked politics, though we rarely agreed on local candidates, we always respected each other’s opinions. If there was ever anyone in need, he could be counted on to help. Jay is gone too soon. He is irreplaceable.

  25. Tom Demogenes Jan 9, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Jay definitely marched to his own drumbeat. Not a phony bone in his body. RIP

  26. Terri Johns Jan 9, 2022 at 5:37 pm

    You truly were a loyal friend and more. I will never forget that you stood up for me when my own family wouldn’t believe the truth. You have impacted thousands of lives and made our City a better place. Your Legacy will live on in Katie and Taylor. I love you and miss you. Until I see you again. RIP Jay💔

  27. Terry McCarley Jan 9, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    What an awesome friend you were and an all around great person! You will be missed my friend- I still have that hideous Eagles jersey I had to buy after our football bet that I lost! RIP and I will see you in heaven!

  28. Paul & Susan Jan 10, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    Sorry to hear of Jay’s passing
    Our sincere condolences to Katie and the family 🙏🏻

  29. Sarah Polchinski Jan 10, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    I only knew Jay for a short amount of time but he is a man I will never forget. He was such an amazing person and my thoughts are with his family.

  30. Chris Collins Jan 12, 2022 at 2:19 am

    R.I.P. Jay LaGace.
    Sending my thoughts and prayers to your daughters and family.

  31. Sally Donnelly Jan 13, 2022 at 10:12 am

    I miss you already. You were the first person I met in Cape Coral, finding me my first home here. Three houses later, here I am without my go to guy. You always had my back and were protective. I’m so grateful for that. We share the same birthday. I loved laughing with you over this and that. RIP my friend.

  32. Peter Kulcsar Jan 13, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    Rest in peace my friend! YOu will be greatly missed!

  33. Melissa Perdue Jan 13, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    Some people come into this world and leave indelible marks on our heart….Jay did that and more. He not only showed up, he kicked it up and he left those he loved better than before he showed up. He was a man who cared so much you could see and feel it and his loss is going to be huge. May all who loved him, those who were blessed by him continue his legacy – Show Up, Step Up and Be your best….change your world, one heart at a time and you will make Jay smile and swear in laughter. RIP my friend.

  34. Rohan Jan 13, 2022 at 8:04 pm

    RIP brother, I will miss sitting next to you during our weekly networking meetings over the last 7 years. I will miss all the laughs and jokes.. You helped many businesses grow, You gave to the community in many different ways. You will truly be missed. Your legacy will always live with your daughters. One more thing the Cowboys vs the Packers Dez caught that !!! LOL

  35. Daleen O'Dell Jan 18, 2022 at 1:49 pm

    I was cruising and thought they were talking about someone else! So sorry to hear, such a nice guy. Way too young! My heart goes out to the family!

  36. April Hoover Jan 24, 2022 at 8:59 am

    I’m so sorry to learn of Jay’s passing. We were friends on Facebook, and have mutual friends. I’m sorry I never got the chance to meet him, but he definitely made a mark on the community. My deepest condolences to family and friends. RIP Jay.

  37. Tammey Amodea Jan 28, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    Jay loved life to its fullest! He had a great sense of humor, determination, but never let you get away with anything, he told you how it was from his point of view, experience and or knowledge, like it or not. These are the things that made Jay a one of the rare breeds of men in this world! I will miss him, and know he will be with us all whenever we need him, as our angel above! Rest In Peace my friend.

  38. Patti Barineau Mar 13, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    I feel so bad I’m just seeing this. Prayers and Positive Thoughts to Jays family. Happy Belated Birthday in Heaven. Miss you. I’m so sorry.

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