Obituary of Father Stephen J. Lasko

Father Stephen J. Lasko, C.S. Sp., a resident of the Spiritan Center in Bethel Park, PA, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2006 at his residence. Born May 8, 1921 in Darien, CT, he was the seventh of nine children of the late Joseph and Julia (Lancos) Lasko. He was educated at Baker Elementary School and Darien Junior High School. He was 84. In 1934, he entered Holy Ghost Preparatory in Cornwells Heights, PA. After prep school and two years of college, Father Lasko entered the Congregation of the Holy Ghost and made his vows at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, CT on August 15, 1941. He completed philosophical and theological studies at St. Mary’s Senior Seminary in Norwalk, CT, where he was ordained on March 13, 1947. In the fall of 1947, Father Lasko sailed for Kilimanjaro, Tanganyika, East Africa where he served as professor and headmaster of St. Patrick’s Teachers Training College. He returned to the United States and earned a Masters of Education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He was assigned to Kilimanjaro and became education secretary (superintendent of schools) for the Diocese of Moshi, Tanzania. In addition to his education obligations, he served as pastor of parishes in Maua, Moshi, and Narumum. He helped establish the Young Catholic Workers Association, The Tanzania Catholic Teachers Association, and discussions groups composed of professional, governmental and business leaders. Father Lasko left the Diocese of Moshi in 1960 to take up the position of Secretary of the Lay Apostolate and Catechetics for the Tanzania Episcopal Conference in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Father Lasko returned to the United States and was assigned to Duquesne University as Vice-President for University Relations until 1968. He served his province as Vocation Director for one year and then was assigned to parish ministry as assistant at St. Ann’s, Millvale, PA; pastor of St. Theresa’s, Tiverton, RI; St. Joseph’s, Herndon, VA; and St. Anthony, Millvale, PA. In 1982 he was temporarily assigned to Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, PA. He was Superior of the Congregation’s retirement home in Sarasota, FL and then again assigned to parochial ministry as pastor of St. Madeline Sophie, Tiverton, RI and also St. Theresa, Little Compton, RI until his retirement to Sarasota in 1990. Father Lasko has been a resident of the Spiritan Center in Bethel Park, PA since 2004. Father Steve, as he was know to his family and close friends, was an ardent fighter for the preservation of the family through the everyday living of the Catholic faith as revealed in Christ’s teaching to us in the gospel. Uncle Steve, as he was called, would always make time in his busy schedule to spend time with his family, and would always look for an opportunity to bring us all closer to Christ. His jovial laughter and spontaneously warm sense of humor would brighten up the most trying of times. The way Father Steve lived his life was an inspiration to everyone he touched, helping us all to be more compassionate, caring and morally grounded human beings. In his passing, his physical presence will be truly missed. However, his/Christ’s legacy will live on in the lives of everyone that had the good fortune to experience his love. His sprit will always be with us in all our Christian endeavors. Father Lasko is survived by three sisters, Julia McCaffrey of Orlando, FL; Eleanor Munson of Cornwall, NY and Bertha Summerton of Darien, CT; and two brothers, Joseph and John Lasko both of Stamford, CT. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by one brother, Paul Lasko and two sisters, Mary Lasko and Betty Hlavac. Friends may call at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT on Friday, January 27, 2006 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Roman Catholic, Darien on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Msgr. Edward R. Surwilo. Burial will follow at St. John Roman Catholic Cemetery, Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820