FORT EDWARD -

Michael A. LaSarso Jr., 95, a lifelong resident of Fort Edward, passed away peacefully, Monday evening, Dec. 23rd at the Glens Falls Hospital with family at his side.

Born April, 5, 1918, he was the son of the late Michael and Maria (Bavaro) LaSarso, the fourth of ten children. He graduated from Fort Edward High School in 1936.

Michael worked at International Paper Company in Corinth until he enlisted in the army on Oct 14, 1940 for a 1 year duty. He trained with the Co K 105th Inf-27 Division. In 1941, he trained in the 2nd maneuvers in Louisiana-Arkansas, which at that time was the largest maneuver the Service had ever had. At Ft. Benning he received the highest mark to go to school but when he discovered the date to go he told the Lt. that he couldn’t, for he would already have been discharged. The Lt. laughed and walked away. Discharged in Oct of ’41, he returned home to his job. When Pearl Harbor was attacked he was called in January to return to his outfit. He was in Hawaii until late May when they left Pearl Harbor, destination unknown. While on the ship, they were told that the US was attacking Saipan and that their Co. was delivering supplies to their battalion. On the day of the Banzai attack they were on alert and at 9:00 PM were prepared to go into battle when they were told it was over. His outfit did not make a Beach Landing on Saipan but were on the Island for 6 months. As a radio operator, In March of ’45, his unit did make a beach landing at Okinawa which was under heavy attack. He was on the first Landing Craft where Kamikaze pilots flew overhead attacking the transports causing heavy damage. There, the Japanese were in caves and the navy bombarded this island for weeks with very little effect. Every night they were under heavy mortar attack by the Japanese. After the Island was secured, they were training to attack Japan when President Truman OK’d the Atomic Bomb. Michael was honorably discharged on Oct. 5 1945. He received his first medals five years after being discharged. In October of 2000, much to his surprise, he received five medals in the mail, including the Bronze Star and World War II Victory Medal. The following April, at the annual 105th Infantry Regimental Ball in Kingston, the 1st Battalion’s commander, Colonel Mark Warnecke officially presented them, which Michael was most proud of and spoke about for years.

Upon returning home, Michael worked again at the International Paper Company. He married Anne Suszko of Argyle, September 13, 1947. In 1950, he replaced his wife at her job at Clarke Motors, which later became Bob Clarke Pontiac, where he was an accountant until his retirement in 1980.

Michael was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Fort Edward and was an original member of the Church Council formed in 1972, serving for 20 years. He was a trustee of the church and served as an usher. Michael was a lifelong member of the Fort Edward Knights of Columbus 336 serving as treasurer there for many years. He and his wife dedicated over 33 years collecting for the Bishop’s ¬¬¬¬¬Drive. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Glens Falls Elks Club.

Michael enjoyed traveling and took his family on numerous vacations. Michael and Anne spent many winter months with their traveling companions, Mary Koncikowski and Stan Kurys, in Ocala, Florida and with them, numerous Canadian Thanksgivings with relatives in Kitchener, Canada. In 2004, Michael was able to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Michael was an avid reader, participated in bowling leagues, and enjoyed playing pinochle with Anne’s sisters and spouses. Every Wednesday and Saturday evening was spent with Michael’s siblings and their spouses having coffee following Mass.

Michael had many buddies whom he enjoyed weekly coffee with at various diners while he was employed at Bob Clarke’s. Upon his retirement he especially enjoyed walking every morning to Seeley’s Diner in Fort Edward. He had numerous, wonderful friends there and loved to engage Terry in political discussions. He loved an argument. Going to Seeley’s was his favorite activity until his final week.
Michael was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife in 2004. Besides his parents he was also predeceased by his brother, Angelo LaSarso, and his sisters, Laura Toombes, Dorothy LaSarso, Grace LaSarso Fragola, and Jenny McCurry. He is survived by his siblings, Frances Hafner, Josephine Munro, Francis LaSarso, and Nicholas LaSarso. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are his daughters and their families, Anne Grow of Hartford, New York, and her children Garrett Grow, Georgia Grow and her fiancé Jeremy Conley, all of New York City, Michele (Mark) Kaizerman of Natick, MA and their daughters, Meghan of Boston and Alyx Cox (Drew), of Kansas, Nancy Barot (Jim) of Glens Falls and their children, Michael Platt and Hallie, also from Glens Falls.
Michael was able to spend the last two years in his home with the care from his daughter, Anne, and the family wishes to extend their gratitude to Audrey Brockway for her private care , and to Rachel Webber from Visiting Nurses. His final week, he received excellent care and comfort from the staff of the Surgical Unit at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Friends may call from 4-7pm on Friday, January 3, 2014 at M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. To view Michael’s Book of Memories and post online condolences, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday January 4, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Church, 164 Broadway, Fort Edward with Rev Thomas Babiuch, pastor, officiating.

The rite of committal will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations be made in Michael’s memory to St. Joseph Church, 164 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael A. LaSarso, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Affiliations