Laureen R Kasper

Laureen Roman Kasper, born 1948 in Park Slope Brooklyn to parents Rose (McMenomey) and Jack Roman passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 19th, 2024.

Laureen is preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband of 33 years Charles L Kasper a FDNY Deputy Chief who died heroically on Sept 11th. Laureen dedicated the rest of her life to honoring and preserving his memory. He was the love of her life. They were a brilliant, adventurous and dazzling couple. They charmed and were adored by all who knew them.

She is also preceded in death by her brother John Roman.

Laureen and Charlie moved from Park Slope to Staten Island in 1978. They loved tennis, a love her grandchildren inherited and she and Charlie played for many years at Walker Park. This facility would actually become named for Charlie after his death.

Laureen attended Bishop McDonnell High School, graduated in 1965, and was recruited to be part of the 2nd women's class to enter Fordham University. Her University time cemented what would become her passion for politics, as she ran for student government despite women being vastly outnumbered on campus. She was a lifelong learner and advocate for the people.

In her youth she taught at Saint Patrick's Elementary in Bedford Stuyvesant and forever she cherished her role as a teacher, guide, and caregiver. A product of the civil rights movement, Laureen was an intellectual with a passion for politics and advocacy.

She brought that dedication to her family. She is survived and missed terribly by her 3 children Melissa Kasper (Mark Friedman), Kara Kasper (Miguel Minambres) and Michael Kasper (Cara Scott) and her 6 grandchildren, Dylan, Deliala, Leena Friedman, Max and Eva Minambres, and Charlie Kasper. Her 7th grandchild, Luna Kasper is expected in October.

Laureen took great pleasure in her role as Nana, imparting so much love and so many life lessons from infancy to adulthood.

She is also survived by her and Charlie's lifelong friend and partner Big Kevin Loftus, Godfather to all her children and God Grandfather to all her grandchildren.

She'll be celebrated at Clavin's Funeral Home in Bay Ridge on Wednesday May 22nd from 3-6pm. She will be so deeply missed by her children and grandchildren and the many dear and loving friends she accumulated in life.