Obituary of Joseph James Lasko, Sr.

Joseph James Lasko, Sr., a resident of Stamford, CT, residing in Springdale, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 9, 2011. Mr. Lasko died of natural causes. Born on February 7, 1914, he was the fourth of nine children of the late Joseph and Julia (Lancos) Lasko. He was educated at Baker Elementary School and Darien High School. He was 96. While attending high school, Mr. Lasko was in the St. John's Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps and was the manager of St. John's CYO basketball team under Father McGuane. Upon graduating high school, Mr. Lasko worked for the local Marcus Dairy and subsequently went to work for the Magazine Photo-Engraving Corporation in 1935 as an apprentice photographer. He was a member of Local # 90 IPEU of N.A. of the AFL-CIO and IBT affiliate. While working as a photographer, Joe attended the School of Modern Photography in New York City. His studies were interrupted when he went to serve in World War II. Joe served in the Army in the 957th Engineering Topographic Company - Aviation as a topographer, where he attained the rank of Corporal. While stationed at the Army Air Base in McCook, NE, he met his future wife and mother of their eight children, Catherine F. Berger of St. Louis, MO. After World War II, Joe married his Catherine and they made their home in Stamford, CT. Joe went to work for the McCall Corporation after WWII as a photo-engraver. Joe resumed his studies at the School of Modern Photography in New York City. He was active in his local union and worked his way up through the ranks to serve as Vice President of the local chapter of the AFL-CIO Photo-Engravers Union. In 1971, the McCall Corporation's Stamford office closed. Subsequently, he went to work for Graphic Color Plate, working there until his retirement in 1980. Joe also obtained an associates degree from the Stamford Branch of the University of Connecticut. In 1965, Joe obtained his real estate license, taking a part time position with the Lynus Real Estate Agency. After retiring from Graphic Color Plate, Joe became a full time Real Estate Broker, affiliating with Osako Agencies and lastly with Heritage Real Estate, until final retirement at age 85 in 2001. Throughout his life, Mr. Lasko had a real enthusiasm for the game of golf. He was first bitten by the golf bug as a caddy at the Old Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. After WWII he joined the Hubbard Heights Men's Club in Stamford, serving as President of the Men's Club for three consecutive terms. He was one of the Founding Fathers of Sterling Farms Golf Course of Stamford, CT. Mr. Lasko, with William Hickey [now Judge Hickey], and Frank Daley, were part of a group that initiated the acquisition of Sterling Farms for the City of Stamford to serve as a second golf course and park for Stamford Residents, under the then Mayor of Stamford, Bruno Giordano. Joe was an avid bowler, bowling with the Darien Recreational Bowling League for 50 years. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine Council No. 41, [receiving his 70 year pin in 2009], the Holy Name Society of St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic War Veterans, the Stamford and Darien Senior Men's Clubs, and an active member of the Norton Volunteer Fire Department of Darien since 1939. He was honored by the Darien Old-Timers Association for outstanding life athletic achievement in 1986. Joseph is survived by is beloved children (the "Eight Jo's"), Kathleen Jo Lasko Faryniarz and Frank Levey; Joseph J. Lasko, Jr. and his wife Judy Vincoli Lasko; Patricia Jo Lasko Haywood and her husband Edward; Robert Joseph and his wife Vivian Chicarelli Lasko; William Joseph and his wife Wanda Beverly Lasko; John Joseph and his wife Susan Willett Lasko; James Joseph and his wife Felicita Sanabria Lasko; and Michael Joseph and his wife, Mary DiSimone Lasko; his beloved grandchildren, Catherine E. Faryniarz Katrenya and her husband Kevin; Christina Faryniarz; Cherilyn Faryniarz Ramos and her husband Tali; Corinne Faryniarz; Joseph J. Lasko, III; Laurie Lasko Parker and her husband William; Allen Haywood "BZ" and his wife Missy; Robert J. Lasko, Jr.; April Janz; Kenneth Janz and his wife Loretta; Matthew and Andrew Lasko; Katelyn and Stephen Lasko; and La Vinia Vega; and his beloved great grandchildren, Samantha Rose, Cassandra Rose and Mackenzie Rose Katrenya; Ryan Krelle and Alexie Santiago; Nathaniel Ramos; Billy, Jr. and Kayla Parker; Isiah Cotto and Bianca Cotto; Elijiah and Chanel Wills. Joseph is predeceased by his wife Catherine, five sisters, Eleanor Munson, Julia McCaffrey, Bertha Summerton, Betty Hlavac and Mary Lasko. He is predeceased by his three brothers, Paul Lasko, Reverend Steven Lasko, CSSp and John Lasko. Joseph was an ardent fighter for the preservation of family through his everyday living of the Catholic faith. He was a strong power of example to all that knew him. In a world of changing values he stood strong for what is good and decent in all of us, as measured by his strong character and high integrity. He was a bright, creative and innovative person. He loved and enjoyed all people. To him, strangers were friends he had not yet met. He, along with his wife Catherine, strove to instill strong moral values in all his children. By way of further example, he taught us all that through hard work and perseverance, nothing was insurmountable. His strong shoulders were the rock and foundation of his family. He will be truly missed and yet his sprit will live on in everyone he touched. His great sense of humor, his joy and zest for life will continue to fill our hearts now and always, and inspire us all. Family and friends will be received at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT, on Thursday, January 13th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 14th at 11:00 AM at St. Cecilia's Church on 1184 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Springdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Noroton Volunteer Fire Department, 1873 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 or the Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine Council, No. 41, 507 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT, 06902 or to a charity of your choice. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820