James Md Lacey

James Vincent Lacey, 73, of Green Bay passed away in comfort amid the presence of family on December 25, 2017, at Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana. The cause was complications from Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. He was born January 7, 1944, in Flint, Michigan, the only child of parents Francis and Anna B. (Finn) Lacey. Jim was a product of Catholic schools, graduating from Saint Agnes High School, in Flint, and the University of Detroit in 1966 with a BS in Chemistry. He went on to the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, graduated as a member of the class of 1970, and stayed there to complete additional training in internal medicine and hematology. Jim was a Captain and medical doctor in the U.S. Navy, originally stationed in Pensacola, Florida from 1972 to 1974. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve many years and was honorably discharged in 2004. As a member of the Military Officers of America (MOOA) club of Northeast Wisconsin, he enjoyed sharing memories of active and reserve duty. In 1977 he moved to Green Bay and practiced medicine there for the next 35 years. He practiced at the former Beaumont Clinic, which became part of Prevea Health, until 2006, was a full-time staff physician at the Oneida Community Health Services from 2006 to 2011, and returned to Prevea Health in 2011 until December 2012, when he officially retired. With his distinct and quick stride he covered local hospital floors, clinics, and nursing homes, providing compassionate care in a profession he loved. He had a passion for teaching and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skill with others. In addition to his clinical practice, Jim was an active and respected part of the Green Bay medical community, including, serving many years with the Hemophilia Outreach Center as the adult hematologist and Medical Director, One of his greatest honors was to be recognized by the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) as one of 20 physicians in Wisconsin who provided 20 years of service in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Jim married Karen (Prinzing) Lacey on December 14, 1969, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They celebrated 48 years of marriage a few days before the discovery of Jim’s cancer. Jim and Karen raised four children in Green Bay. Jim felt welcomed by and embraced being a member the greater Green Bay community, which he loved. A devout Catholic and faithful man, he was a parishioner at Resurrection Catholic Parish in Allouez and taught high school catechism (CCD) there for many years. The Green Bay Community Theater, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, the Neighborly Dance Club, and Green Bay Packers were all sources of regular joy in his life. Among his other hobbies were bridge, skiing, and—having grown up on Motown Music—dancing. Shortly after Jim’s retirement, Jim and Karen moved part-time to Missoula to be nearer to two of their children and their respective families. During this time, he and Karen traveled extensively. He especially enjoyed their cruises and trips to Ireland. They made new friends in those travels, but Jim remained close to his dear friends in Green Bay and Michigan. Jim’s counsel, professional and personal, gifted many people over the years. Driven and dedicated, Jim was also humble and remained extremely gracious, especially in his last few months and as his Alzheimer’s disease progressed. Jim is survived by his wife, Karen; his children and their families: John and daughter-in-law Dana, and their children, Ian and Maya, of Whitefish, MT; James Jr. and daughter-in-law Sophia, and their children, Holly and James III, of South Pasadena, CA; Joe and daughter-in-law Mari, and their children, Victoria and Ana Beatriz, of Gainesville, FL; and Julie (Ehlers) and son-in-law Ben, and their children William and Peter, of Missoula, MT; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joanne and Vilnis Giga, of Owatonna, MN and two nephews, Mark Giga and family and Erik Giga. Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr, Green Bay, on Friday, January 5, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, January 6, from 9:00am until 10:15am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating and Father Tim Shillcox, O.Praem concelebrating. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. In lieu of other memorials, the family encourages a donation of blood (2131 Deckner Ave, Green Bay) or a financial gift in Jim’s honor to the American Red Cross (redcross.org). A memorial to the Hemophilia Outreach Center (hemophiliaoutreach.org) is also being planned. The family expresses its sincere gratitude to Providence St. Patrick Hospital, in Missoula, MT, and especially the entire staff of Floor 4 South, for their exceptional care, compassion, and support at the end of Jim’s life.