Lawrence "Larry" D. Lassaline, Died January 8, 2019

Lawrence D. Lassaline

Died Jan. 8, 2019

SUTTONS BAY – Lawrence “Larry” Dennis Lassaline, 82, of Suttons Bay passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019 at Medilodge of Leelanau with his loving wife Mary Ann by his side, Larry took his last breath on earth and entered heaven.

Larry was born on October 9, 1936, in Detroit, to Wilfred and Alma (Campeau) Lassaline.  On Jan. 13, 1973 at Gesu Catholic Church of Detroit he married Mary Ann Domka, who survives.

Larry was a very positive, outgoing soul.  He would greet everyone, friend and stranger alike, with a smile and a wave, and maybe a corny joke or two (much to his children's chagrin).

He was an avid sports fan, always rooting for the home teams!  He especially loved watching the Tiger's and Red Wings play and would proudly wear his Larry Murphy jersey whenever he could.  He enjoyed golfing and played on a couple recreational leagues, at Veronica Valley and later Bay Meadows.

Larry worked in finance (loved working with numbers) most of his life but in later years he held a variety of jobs.  Folks around the county may remember him as: a bus driver for St. Mary's, a tax preparer for Jackson Hewitt, or the friendly cashier at Enerdyne, Turtle Creek, and Tom's (West Bay).

He was a man of great faith and trust in God.  A faith that endured over 10 years of dementia and remained even though his other memories drifted away.  One of his favorite sayings was “Let go and let God” and in the end that's what he did.  Prior to his illness he was very active in his Catholic faith and served as a lector and eucharistic minister, most recently at St. Francis in Traverse City; and was an active member in the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree.

His family was his world.  Larry had the heart of a child and loved playing with the kids and making them laugh.  He would always come down to their level to play and wasn’t afraid to look silly going down a slide, or sitting on a teeter-totter, or dressing up like a clown, whatever it took to make his children smile.  Larry said his favorite feeling in the world was having a child trust him enough to fall asleep on his lap.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Mary Ann; he was a beloved father of four children: Brian (Anne) Lassaline; Sheryl (Bob) Zimmerman; Kelly (Jason) Kohler; and Laura Lassaline; he was also a proud Papa of four grandchildren: Josh (14), Eve (12), and Marie (10) Lassaline; and Amelia (6) Kohler.

The sixth of nine children, Larry was predeceased by his parents and siblings.

Visitation will be held from 2 to the start of the 4 p.m. Rosary recitation on Sunday, Jan. 13 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 14 with the family greeting friends at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City.  Burial will be announced in the spring.  Father Don Geyman will serve as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Association 921 West Eleventh Street, Suite 1 W, Traverse City, MI., 49684 and/or Knights of Columbus, 13424 S.W. Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686.

Please share condolences and memories with Larry’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page: