1927 - 2016 Harold Lassoff passed away on Monday March 7th in Santa Monica. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Grace and his four sons and nine grandchildren. Harold was a Brentwood icon, a pharmacist who started Brent-Air Pharmacy in 1950. Brent-Air Pharmacy has served Brentwood for more than 65 years. The drug store has been the scene of many famous scandals and, like its defunct West Hollywood cousin Schwab's, is known as the pharmacy to the stars, where many now-notable actors and actresses worked as delivery boys or "candy counter" girls. Harold was honored by the City of Los Angeles as Brentwood Citizen of the Year in 1992. Harold was renowned for his witty and biting sense of humor, his tireless campaigning on behalf of Brentwood Village and his amazing carpentry skills. He was a lifelong dog lover and was extremely fond of Sam, his lovely black Labrador. Even though he was cursed (blessed?) with four sons, Harold was always the ultimate gentleman and his many daughters-in-law can attest to his old-world manners. An author par excellence, Harold wrote a controversial series of articles for the Brent-Air Pharmacy newsletter in the days before internet blogs. Harold was a no-nonsense man and had a low tolerance for bureaucracy or pompousness. One of his obsessions was parking in front of his drugstore and was known to guard the freedom of parking in Brentwood Village, even sometimes ensuring fairness by obstructing those who believed that parking was for the many restaurants in the Village instead of patients needing their medication. Harold was a supreme story teller and liked nothing better than regaling his grandchildren with tales of his life. He loved clowning around with the kids and providing for them. Harold was 'old-school' and made life brighter and less conventional in Brentwood compared to today's corporate, chain-dominated scene. His individualism, his devotion to family life and his uncompromising position with respect to the health and well-being of many generations of patients in Brentwood will be sorely missed. The funeral will be at Mount Sinai at 2:00 on Friday March 11th. Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills 5950 Forest Lawn Drive Los Angeles, CA 90068

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Mar. 10 to Mar. 11, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Lassoff

Sponsored by Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills.

7 Entries

Sherri

December 1, 2024

We lived next store to Harold in the early 60´. What a lovely man. From then on, we always referred to the pharmacy as Harold´s. Such sweet memories... x

Rachel

February 4, 2021

Oh dear, I had no idea. Mommy and I are sick with covid and she can't get the medicine she wants. I thought of Brent Air. I never knew all this, but I grew up with brent air pharmacy. A terrible loss to the Westside

Margaret Wold

September 14, 2017

Oh, how I remember Harold! I worked at Brent Air behind the 'candy' counter for a few years in the mid 80s. My brother worked for him for many years as a delivery boy. He was a deadpan funny man and I used to love how he would get his feathers ruffled over something so silly and I would just roll my eyes, but I always managed to get a smile out of him. He loved the kids that worked there. He would hire young local kids to gift wrap at holiday time. I have great memories of working at Brent Air! A local pharmacy that would see all kinds of celebrity - in the days before the big pharmacy chains. Sad to see he has passed. Hope Grace is doing well; such a lovely woman.

Richard Wechsler

March 2, 2017

I worked for Harold as delivery boy in the late 1950's the memories are vivid and clear. Harold was was a very special man and Brentwood Pharmacy was a special place.

Kevin Weir

March 19, 2016

I was very much saddened to see this today. Harold was a fixture in our neighborhood and beyond kind to my family. He was also my boss for eight years. I remember him telling me about a disagreement with his business class professor who extolled the Sears self-service model as a universal retail standard. Harold told me that he invited the class to his store (at its former location across the street) to demonstrate why service mattered, particularly in his demographic. I have no doubt that the brilliant businessman I worked for added insight to all that came to visit.

He built community, I often thought, because he so valued his family. I like to think that this extraordinary man added much to my life. I will be forever greatful.

Wishing Grace and her sons peace in the knowledge that they lived with a great man for a long lifetime.

Lester Dober

March 10, 2016

I will always remember your wit and stories. It was a pleasure knowing you.

Mac

March 10, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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