Thomas E. Laessig

Thomas E. Laessig, 81, of Fairview Park Ohio, passed on January 24th, 2026 at Fairview Hospital. Born June 30th, 1944 in Teaneck, NJ to Robert and Isolda (nee Grosser) Laessig, he was the first of three children, followed by Constance and Mark Laessig. In early childhood the family moved to Bay Village Ohio, and then to Richfield Ohio, where he attended and graduated from Revere High School. At Revere he excelled in English and History, and enjoyed playing the clarinet in Band and Dixieland Band. He continued on to Hiram College where he received a BA teaching degree in English and History. Starting part time in high school around 1960, and continuing to full time after college, he worked at American Greetings in Editorial, Market Research, & Product Analysis. In 1974 he married Nancy (Fry) Laessig, and continued on a lifelong journey of creating and appreciating art and nature. He continued his work at American Greetings until 2002, before committing to developing his and Nancy's own portfolio. During this time he also worked for one year at the Ford Plant operating scissor and fork lifts, and for ten years working the front line at Heinen's. He was loved and adored by so many people in so many different scenarios; kind, zany, and hyper intelligent, he pursued and excelled in many interests. Bicycle mechanic, cyclist & enthusiast, backpacker, hiker, photographer, woodworker, poet, historian, researcher, minimalist, sci-fi nerd, music lover, automobile enthusiast, lover of nature, tech wizard, and more. An avid family man, he was devoted, enthusiastic, supportive and ever present with his children. He wrote in collaboration with his wife, and combining poetry and an extensive catalog of nature photography, produced 4 haiku books and grew an online following (@haikons.4season.photohaiku).

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother & Friend, he will be missed dearly and is survived by his wife Nancy Laessig, sister Constance Laessig (Scott Taylor), daughters Bonnie Laessig (Brett Combs) and Holly Proctor (Andrew Proctor), and two grandchildren, Oscar Thomas Proctor and Mia Maye Proctor.

Contributions can be made to:

The Democratic National Committee or DNC

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/web-donate

Rails to Trails Conservancy

https://www.railstotrails.org/

National Parks Conservation Association

https://support.npca.org/page/85044/donate/1

Cleveland Metroparks

https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/support/donate/give-online

(440) 333-98774 www.buschcares.com