Donald J. Lajoie, 63, Ashkum, IL

Donald J. “Red” Lajoie, 63, of Ashkum, IL passed away on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at his home.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton, IL. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at Assumption BVM Church in Ashkum. Rev. Charles Tuttle will be the main concelebrant. Burial will be at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, MA at the discretion of the family at a later date.

Mr. Lajoie was born Feb. 25, 1946 in Worcester, MA, a son of Roland M. and Mabel C. Hickey Lajoie. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include three brothers and sisters-in-law, Roland and Suzanne Lajoie of South Yarmouth, MA, Robert and Patricia Lajoie of San Diego, CA and David and Beverly Lajoie of Holden, MA; four nieces; two nephews; and his long time companion, Ms. Judy Palmer of Ashkum.

Donald graduated from the former New England School of Accounting in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1964; He received his Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting from the former New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1968 and attended Pace University in New York, New York.

Mr. Lajoie was a retired Finance Officer/Comptroller in the Department of the Army’s Corp of Engineers and held other positions. He had various assignment stations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East and also traveled to South East Asia and South America.

He was of the Roman Catholic faith. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree and the Illinois State Council of the Knights of Columbus and was their current Executive Secretary. He was an avid Red Sox fan.

In  lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Special Olympics or Newman Apostolate (in care of the Knights of Columbus).