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Lascelles Black Obituary
Lascelles W. Black, MSW, LMFT
It is with deep sadness that we let our communities know of the death of Lascelles W. Black. Lascelles died of advanced prostate cancer on March 17, 2022. He was 80 years old.
He had a strong and wide-ranging teaching career, spending 2007 to 2021 devoted to teaching at Mercy College in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, where he taught Introduction to Consultation and Family/Community Mental Health and Group Experience, as well as mentoring Capstones. He was deeply respected and cared for by his students.
Prior to coming to Mercy College, Lascelles Black had a rich and varied career. He started as a draftsman in Calgary, Alberta, and went on to work as an artist, sculptor, and photographer. He shifted to working with mentally handicapped adults and was then devoted to human services. When we moved to New York, he began a long portion of his career with the homeless, in shelters, on the streets and as the Family Therapy consultant to a program that put housing first. He helped many to re-connect with previously cut-off family members, who longed to have their family member back. In addition, he worked with those with HIV/AIDS. Along the way, he worked at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in their Schools Project.
Lascelles was on the board of the American Family Therapy Academy and served as Vice-President from 2017-2019.
Lascelles was married to Evan Imber-Black and they shared their lives together for 40 years. He has three children, Jason Black along with his partner, Tonya Lok, Jennifer Coppersmith, and Naomi Robinson; and four grandchildren, Jo Black, Lois Black, Zane Black and Isaac Robinson. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He loved photography, musical theatre and singing in his community choir. He was known to sing even when no one was looking. He and Evan loved to travel together and experience the world.
There will be a shiva on Sunday, March 20, Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22 from 1 pm to 7 pm at 56 Magnolia Ave., Mount Vernon, NY 10553. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either World Central Kitchen or the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lascelles Black
Daniel Watson
May 31, 2022
Very saddened to come across this news. You were a gentle, kind, and a well-respected individual. I am glad I had the pleasure of having you as a professor during my graduate studies. My heart goes out to all of your loved ones.
Mikki Meyer
April 15, 2022
In memory of Lascelles who shared so much with so many.
Annabelle Imber Tuck
March 22, 2022
May the Source of Peace be with Lascelles´ family at this time of sorrow I so wish that I could visit y´all in person during the period in Shiva. Please know that my heart is with you
Silvia Giliotti
March 21, 2022
My thoughts are with Evan and the family. Lascelles was a kind, warm, and generous man. He will be missed.
Martha Adams Sullivan, DSW, LMFT, MA
March 20, 2022
Dear Evan and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your dear spouse and father.
Ancient African thought teaches that one lives on as long as others remember them, especially when we remember them by name. I think I can say that we in AFTA feel like Lascelles´ professional family and will always remember him, and remember him by name. As a member of that family, I will always remember his loving, humble spirit.
Lascelles and I didn´t speak frequently, but when we did speak they were long chats, that may have seemed at fist to meander but were really generative. We would segue and segue building one thought or experience into another. I can´t tell you specifically what we spoke about but I can tell you my chats with Lascelles would touch on the challenges in life, inequities and disparities, oppressions. But our talks would always move to connection, harmony, collaboration and liberation. What Maya Angelou said is validated in my experience with Lascelles- more than what was said, I remember how connecting with him felt. It was warm, it was positive and loving.
My own tradition teaches that the humble will be blessed by inheriting the earth and seeing God.
And so, if I may, Evan, often this brief little prayer for Lascelles:
God, we humbly commend our brother, Lascelles to You and Your loving care.
May the ancestors come forth to meet him and carry him safely to the heavenly Jerusalem.
May the heavens be opened to him and the angels rejoice with him.
May he and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
And, may his memory be a blessing.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Sincerely, Martha
Monica McGoldrick
March 20, 2022
In loving memory of Lascelles Black and with my deepest sympathy for all the many family and friends who loved him.
Gail Shapiro
March 19, 2022
May the love of friends and family carry you through this time.
Judith silverstein
March 19, 2022
I was so so sad when I heard about Lascelles passing. He was a wonderfully sweet man. I remember the loving relationship he and my father had and how meaningful that friendship was to my father. There are not many men like Lacelles in this world. He will be sorely missed.
Jim Duvall
March 19, 2022
So very sorry to learn about the passing of Lascelles. Your family is in my thoughts.
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