James LaDouce

James (“Jim” and “Uncle Buck”) LaDouce passed on April 6, 2023. He was 75 years old.

Jim was born in Auburn to Ralph and Emily (Carberry) LaDouce. He loved the outdoors and cars carried those passions throughout his life. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman, photographer, and camper. Whether it was deer, bear, or duck season, he hardly missed a weekend at his hunting camps and took great pride in cooking for all his friends. He was long time member of the Weedsport Rod and Gun Club. Jim was also a car and motorcycle enthusiast. He spent hours restoring and painting cars and even travelled cross-country twice – once on his bike and another in his truck.

When Jim wasn’t outdoors, he was in a classroom. He taught math at West Middle School and the Cayuga Home for over thirty-five years. To Jim, teaching was a rewarding career where he met some of his closest friends. He also remembered most (if not all) of his students. But even more telling, his students remembered him. It wasn’t a trip to Wegmans without a former student stopping him to say hello.

Jim became a snowbird to Hawaii where he spent the winters with his late brother and sister-in-law, R. Jeffrey and Billie LaDouce. He also was the keeper of family memories, always taking out the camera for occasions big and small, from weddings, tennis matches, soccer games, dance recitals, proms, travels, etc. A relic of a bygone era, he printed and framed many of his own pictures, making the drive each time to Industrial Color Lab in Syracuse. His friends and family could always count on him to catch a movie, grab a beer, order a pizza, or stop by with coffee and donuts.

Above anything, Jim cherished his family. He was survived by his son, George Cosentino and sister, E. Michele (Fred) Pfeifer, as well as Emily Izzo Dec, Nicholas Cosentino, Casey Cosentino (Kyle) Dudek, and Andrea and Richard Cosentino.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and brothers R. Jeffrey LaDouce and Christopher LaDouce.

Jim may be out of sight but aways in our heart. He will be greatly missed.

Calling hours for family and friends will be held Sunday, April 16th from 10:00 am until 11:00 am with a service to immediately follow at  11 :00 am in Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St. Auburn.

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