Obituary for James I. Piche
Army Sergeant Major (Retired) James I. Piche’, 72, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022 at his home in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania.
Born in Burlington, Vermont, he was the son of the late Roland J. and Harriet (McDonald) Piche. Jim entered the United States Army in 1967 and served on active duty for 22 years. Through two tours in Vietnam, he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant Major. Jim’s extensive military decorations included the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal among many others.
Following his military career, Jim served 31 years as a Defense Contractor and retired from ManTech International in September of 2020. As a defense contractor, Jim supported the Kosovo Force in Albania, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. He was very proud to have served his country for 53 years; he was a true patriot. During his free time, he enjoyed boating, bowling, and beer. He was a lover of all things Americana.
Jim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rita J. (Pennell) Piche; his son, Sean P. Piche; his daughters, Stacey Classen (and husband Tim), Hope Bender (and husband Terry), and Jamie Shaffer (and husband Steve); his grandchildren Kathleen (and husband Nate), Bryan (and wife Melissa), Jake, Nicholas, Brandy, Ian, R.J., Jessica (and husband Michael), Michael (and wife Alexandria); his great-grandchildren, Owen, Jacey, Kaison, Brylee, Oaklyn, Ava, Charlotte, Teddy, Jordan, and Charlotte Alexandria; his siblings, Jean (and husband Peter) Gadue, Linda (and husband Bruce) Britch, Carolyn Piche, Michael Piche, and Anne (and husband Gary) Eldred; sister in law, Laurie Piche; the mother of his daughters, Linda (Pidgeon) Bates and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Piche, and sister, Judith Sicard.
Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc. in Hamburg, PA will be handling local arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675-8516 or by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org . In addition, a public memorial service is being planned for Memorial Day 2022 in Burlington, Vermont.
Born in Burlington, Vermont, he was the son of the late Roland J. and Harriet (McDonald) Piche. Jim entered the United States Army in 1967 and served on active duty for 22 years. Through two tours in Vietnam, he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant Major. Jim’s extensive military decorations included the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal among many others.
Following his military career, Jim served 31 years as a Defense Contractor and retired from ManTech International in September of 2020. As a defense contractor, Jim supported the Kosovo Force in Albania, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. He was very proud to have served his country for 53 years; he was a true patriot. During his free time, he enjoyed boating, bowling, and beer. He was a lover of all things Americana.
Jim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rita J. (Pennell) Piche; his son, Sean P. Piche; his daughters, Stacey Classen (and husband Tim), Hope Bender (and husband Terry), and Jamie Shaffer (and husband Steve); his grandchildren Kathleen (and husband Nate), Bryan (and wife Melissa), Jake, Nicholas, Brandy, Ian, R.J., Jessica (and husband Michael), Michael (and wife Alexandria); his great-grandchildren, Owen, Jacey, Kaison, Brylee, Oaklyn, Ava, Charlotte, Teddy, Jordan, and Charlotte Alexandria; his siblings, Jean (and husband Peter) Gadue, Linda (and husband Bruce) Britch, Carolyn Piche, Michael Piche, and Anne (and husband Gary) Eldred; sister in law, Laurie Piche; the mother of his daughters, Linda (Pidgeon) Bates and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Piche, and sister, Judith Sicard.
Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc. in Hamburg, PA will be handling local arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675-8516 or by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org . In addition, a public memorial service is being planned for Memorial Day 2022 in Burlington, Vermont.