Donald "DJ" Joseph LaMarre , VRHS Class of 1976
Rensselaer- Donald Joseph "DJ" LaMarre, 63, passed away suddenly at home on January 17, 2021. Born June 17, 1957, DJ was the son of the late William LaMarre, Sr. and Marie Grainer LaMarre. He also was predeceased by his son Donald LaMarre, Jr. DJ attended Rensselaer High School where he was a star athlete on the basketball and football teams. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, horseshoe player and golfer - he loved the outdoors. He was employed by the City of Rensselaer Department of Public Works for 30 years and his steadfast work ethic continued into retirement when he then worked for a janitorial company and as of late, as a groundskeeper at the Schodack Island State Park. He was well known in Rensselaer for his easy smile, hearty laugh and fun-loving spirit - he was well liked by those who knew him. DJ loved his family deeply and is survived by: his children Patrick L. LaMarre, Jeanette LaMarre and Holly Hayes; his grandchildren Hailey, Adrian, Priscilla and Angelina; by his surrogate daughter Anna Mae; by his siblings Kathryn Henry, William (Donna) LaMarre, Jr., Donna (Phil) Tremblay, Patrick LaMarre, Tricia (Barry) Smith and Christine (John) Myers; by numerous nieces, nephews and their children; and by dear friends Pat Moore, Ronnie Farrell and Bill Halacy. DJ will be forever in our hearts. Funeral from the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in DJ's memory to the charity of your choice or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204.