James M. (Jim) Lafond of West Chester

James M. (Jim) Lafond, 58, died peacefully at Neighborhood Hospice on Friday, April 7, 2017 after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

Born on July 25, 1958 in Camden, NJ, he was the son of the late Gerard and Therese Lafond. He was a graduate of Holy Cross High School, Delran, NJ. Jim had many interests, including tennis and music.

His children and music were the center of Jimmy’s life and were what kept him going through difficult times. Jimmy’s musical taste was broad and deep, from jazz to blues, folk and bluegrass, to rock and roll. James Taylor was undoubtedly his favorite artist, though he loved and listened to so many more. He also played a wide range of styles and material, including some of his own compositions. Family and friends will miss his sweet melodic voice, his skilled guitar playing, and his amazing sense of humor! He was always “the life of the party”!

Jim was also very enthusiastic about his work with fence sales, both at Helm Fencing in Hatfield, and earlier at the Fence Authority in West Chester, PA. When traveling with Jim, we could always count on him pointing out fences he had sold all over Eastern Pennsylvania.

Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl Strain Lafond and two children, Michael J. Lafond and Lauren M. Lafond of Coatesville, PA, siblings Denise Mickalites and brother in law Richard Sassa of West Chester, Paulette Nidel and husband Rick and Terri Anne Sassa of Waynesboro, PA, Robert Lafond and wife Lee Helveston of Audubon, NJ, David Lafond and wife Anne Wooding of Holyoke, MA, and Marie Allsman and husband Jess of Media, PA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and lots of friends. He was preceded in death by his dear son Zachary D. Lafond and his brothers Peter, Danny and Gerry Lafond.

A Memorial Mass and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Ss. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct., West Chester, PA 19382. Friends and family are invited to gather at 10:30 a.m. Following Mass, there will be a celebration of Jimmy’s life in the Meehan Center of the church. Announcement will also be made on family members’ Facebook pages.

Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to:

Neighborhood Health Inpatient Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380 or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls. org), Eastern PA Chapter, 100 N 20th St., Suite 405, Philadelphia, PA 19103.