James F. Lacek

I Am Going for A Walk in the Woods

James F. Lacek, age 86,of Towanda, passed away peacefully on 21 March 2025. He
was born August 29, 1938 in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, the
eldest child of John T. and Isabelle Gavenonus Lacek.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Hanover Township High School and a 1960 graduate of
Penn State University with a degree in Forest Management, a career he pursued from
early childhood. Employed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, he spent his first
ten years as a Timber Management Forester on the present Loyalsock State Forest in
Sullivan County, where he loved to explore the rolling hills with their various plants,
animals, cliffs and streams. Transferring to Bradford County in 1970 he served for 30
years as a Service Forester to assist private landowners with their forest and wildlife
management needs. He also received training in Urban Forestry to assist the
communities and residents of Bradford County in Shade Tree Management of street
trees and urban green space.

Forever an “educator at heart”, Jim found numerous ways to share his knowledge of
the woods. Many years were spent working with the Bradford County Forest Owners
Association; as well as an annual Arbor Day program titled “My Growing Tree” for first
grade students and the “Forestry Summer Camp” at Keystone College. He took special
pride as a Project Learning Tree (PLT) facilitator where he taught local teachers
methods of educating students though observing and using the forests as an
educational tool. After his retirement in 2003, Jim stayed active as a Private Forest
Consultant, primarily writing Forest Stewardship Plans for forest owners.

Jim was active for many years with the Towanda Ambulance Association, both as a
driver and an officer on its board of directors. He was a member of the Towanda Odd
Fellows Lodge, on the Board of Directors of the State Historical Site at French Asylum,
Bradford County Conservation District, Towanda Rotary Club, Towanda Borough Shade
Tree Commission and Towanda Borough Planning Commission.

As a perpetual explorer, he loved hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, spelunking, as
well as discovering a new restaurant, bar or antique store. Getting lost was never a
concern but an opportunity to learn something new. He loved meeting people from other
countries as it gave him the opportunity to learn about those cultures and foods. He
shared these passions with his family and taught them the value of keeping an open
mind and heart.

As an avid gardener he kept the table and freezer full of all varieties of vegetables,
and found time to enjoy the beauty surrounding him as he sat on one of the many
benches in his back yard flower gardens that he and Ellen lovingly designed and
cultivated together.

For many years he enjoyed fishing trips with old friends to the wilds of upper Quebec,
coming back to Towanda with epic survival stories, and coolers of pike and walleye. Jim
loved to roam the hills and farms of Bradford County, fishing and hunting with friends
and his children. Martha’s Vineyard and Emerald Isle were favorite places to explore
with family.

He is preceded by his loving wife of 58 years, Ellen T. McCarry Lacek and his
brother, John (Jack) Lacek. He is survived by his children: Kathleen and husband, Roy
Hope of Martha’s Vineyard Massachusetts; Christine and husband, Jody Garris of
Towanda; Daniel in New York City; Michael and husband, Marco of Martha’s Vineyard
and James B. in Towanda; grandchildren, Erika (Severson), Kylie (Heller), Joe and
Paige Garris; great grandchildren Wyatt, Sawyer, Kynlee and Connor, along with his
sister, Rosemary Long in Lititz, PA.

Truly great caregivers are hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget.
Thank you for your humor, love and compassion: Kasey and Hailey (the Kelly’s),
Cheyenne, Lisa and Jason.

A celebration of life will be announced in the future.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of The Thomas Cremation and Funeral Service, 1297 Elmira St., Sayre, Pa

Those wishing to leave a sympathy message may do so at thomascremationfuneralservice.com

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