James Michael 'Mike' LaPensee

James Michael “Mike” LaPensee, a longtime resident of Anna Maria, passed away June 22, 2024, at the age of 79. 

Mike was born April 10, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Wilfred and Edith (Glasgow) LaPensee. Here he spent his early childhood before moving to Wayne, Michigan. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and then Wayne High School where he graduated in 1963. 

In 1967, he made the move to Florida and settled on Anna Maria Island. In December of 1976 he met the love of his life, Karen, and married her 90 days later in March 1977. Mike was a plumber by trade, becoming a Master Plumber, and was well-known around the business community for founding LaPensee Plumbing, Inc. alongside Karen which they began in 1985. 

He was an active member of our community, whether that was coaching his children’s youth sports teams at the Center in their younger years, attending various events and fundraisers around the island or volunteering with The Rotary Club of Anna Maria of which he was a member. 

He was notorious for striking up conversations with strangers wherever he went, always leaving them a friend. He was immensely proud of his family and was always bragging about them to friends and strangers alike. He loved trains, old cars, and working on his hobbies: model airplanes, boats, and cars were his favorite. Mike was a loving husband, father and friend and he will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth LaPensee and Wilfred “Sonny” LaPensee; and son, Gregory LaPensee. He is survived by his wife, J. Karen LaPensee; son, Michael J. LaPensee, daughters, Michele Crouthamel (Jereme) and Shawn Shields (Logan); daughter-in-law, Carlee LaPensee; sister-in-law, Nancy LaPensee; brother, Richard LaPensee (Carol); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:
4:30-7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2024
The Key Royale Club, 700 Key Royale Drive,
Holmes Beach, Florida, 34217

A celebration of life will be held 4:30-7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2024, at The Key Royale Club, located at 700 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida, 34217. Those who knew him are encouraged to drop in, have a rum and coke and share some memories. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is overseeing the arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to The Center of Anna Maria Island or The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island.