Jim Labbee Memory Page

James F. Labbee 1933 - 2008 HATFIELD - James F. Labbee, 75, died peacefully at home on August 12, 2008. Born April 7, 1933, in Hatfield he was the son of the late Henry S. and Eloise (Tinkham) Labbee. He was educated in Hatfield schools and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Jim was the owner of Labbee Auto Body in West Hatfield for many years. With his sister, Pat, Jim sang in many of the hospital follies and VINS shows. He served as past president and secretary-treasurer of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBQSA) and served on its board of directors. He was an invited member of NEWCANNE-WENG, The Northeast District Honor Society for People Who have contributed above and beyond to their district. He sang tenor with several quartets including "Just Four Friends" which won the 1998 Northeast district championship. Jim's quartet also enjoyed the opportunity to sing backup for an Arlo Guthrie album entitled Son of the Wind. He enjoyed composing arrangements in four- part harmony for his quartet. Jim was honored to be welcomed into the Young @ Heart Chorus. Jim leaves his wife, Beverly (Korza) Labbee with whom he would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in September. He also leaves a sister, Patricia Cady of Southampton, several cousins, many nieces and nephews and their families and many wonderful and cherished friends as well as his newly adopted Sneakers. Two brothers predeceased him, Richard in 1982 and Charles in 1991. Funeral services will be Saturday morning from the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton at 9:00 A.M. with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Hatfield. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours at the Czelusniak Funeral Home are Friday from 4-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to VNA-Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, Ma.. 01061-03290 or the District33Y Lions Eye Mobile, c/o Treasurer Dennis Waller, 17 Breton Lane, Holyoke, MA 01040. CZELUSNIAK FUNERAL HOME - NORTHAMPTON 584-3585