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Andrew Laska Obituary
WORCESTER - Andrew Laska, 93, of Worcester, MA passed away on February 2, 2019.
Andrew was born in Worcester to Michael and Efterpi (Kotnani) Laska. He is predeceased by his wife Ruth (Willoughby) and his three brothers, Paul, Peter and George. He leaves five children, Michael and his wife Darlene of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Donna and husband Robert Ingraham of Howey-in-the-Hills, FL, Diane and husband Paul Nixon of Jefferson, MA, Kim and husband David Vitols of Trumbull, CT, and Andrew and wife Megeen of Basking Ridge, NJ. He leaves eight grandchildren, Allison Ingraham Lawrence, Travis Ingraham, Jessie Nixon Weiss, Addison and Anna Vitols, Andrew, Madeline and Sean Laska; and three great-children, Jaden, Lainey and Grace. He leaves his sister-in-law Violet Laska.
Andrew graduated from North High School and attended the College of the Holy Cross and Worcester State University. He was a member of the 1947 Holy Cross NCAA basketball championship team and later served as the long-time men's basketball and golf coach and athletic director at Assumption College. He was the first mayor of the Lincoln Square Boys Club and maintained life-long friendships with all his friends from his early years for his entire life. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club, a high school All-New England player; served three years in the U.S. Army Air Forces; is a member of the Assumption College and Holy Cross Athletic Hall of Fames; honored twice as N.E. Coach of the Year; inducted into the NE-10 Hall of Fame; and in 1975 the Laska Gymnasium at Assumption College was named in his honor. Andrew was passionate about family, sports and friendships.
His legacy and loyalties are immense and he will be greatly missed.
The family wishes to sincerely thank Donald Lemenager, Donald Rowe, Robert Cousy, the Warner, Frankian, Army, Boule, O'Brien, Alexsiewicz, Paulauskas and Mingolla families, the staff at Life Care Center of Auburn, and Assumption College. And to his many friends, coaches, and former teammates and players…from his days at the Worcester Boys Club, Worcester Academy, Camp Graylag, U.S. Army Air Forces, North High School, College of the Holy Cross and Assumption College…all of whom deeply touched his life.
Calling hours are Friday, February 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street in Worcester, MA and a Saturday calling hour from 10-11AM at St. Mary's Albanian Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA. Funeral Mass will be at 11AM at St. Mary's followed by burial at Hope Cemetery, 119 Webster Street, Worcester, MA 01603. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Assumption College Athletics, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or Holy Cross Athletics, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Laska
Sponsored by Athy Memorial Home - Worcester.
John Carney Class of 1976
January 29, 2021
To the Laska family and Diane. Nothing but good memories of Andy from my days at Assumption. He was a class act and will be missed by all. He had a very full life. Deepest Sympathy!
Paul Chapman
February 10, 2019
Sorry to hear of Andy's passing. He was such a great man. Andy kept my broadcast career going for another 25 years! After having been fired as sports director at WTAG Radio in September, 1973, I'm sitting in my Worcester apartment, feeling sorry for myself, when the phone rings. It's Andy who knew of my situation. I had been the "voice" of Assumption basketball as well as Holy Cross football and hoops during my 3 1/2 years at WTAG. Andy told me to call Tom Cheek, later the long time voice of the Toronto Blue Jays but then, sports director at WVMT up in Burlington, Vermont, because Tom had a line on a job up there. I called Tom, whom I knew vaguely and Tom told me, WJOY in Burlington was looking for a sports director. He told me who to call. I made that call, drove up to Burlington the next day and got the job. Without that phone call from Andy, I may never have been Vermont Sportscaster of the Year in 1976 and Michigan Sportscaster of the Year in 1996. For that I will be forever grateful. My condolences to his family.
Maureen Kilcoyne
February 8, 2019
Diane & Family -
I just received the notice of your Dad's passing and just wanted to send my sincere condolences to you. He was a great coach during his tenure at AC. I'm sure he will be remembered by many of the students he worked with and influenced. He leaves a wonderful legacy as he moves onto a greater, eternal life.
I am away and will be unable to attend his services, but rest assured your Dad and your entire family will be in my prayers.
John Carney
February 8, 2019
To Diane And the Laska family, Andy was a class act who treated everyone well. He was a humble man with great love for his Assumption family. I remember how well he treated our soccer team during my time there. Deepest condolences to you.
John Carney - Class 1976 Soccer Captain
February 8, 2019
A man of great integrity ,compassion,and honesty. He is Assumption Athletics. God Bless
Barry Glinski
PAUL Dumas
February 7, 2019
Condolences to all the Laska family. MR Assumption without a doubt . An enormous talent and even greater man ! Condolences to all the Laska family . From Paul Dumas Prep 1957 and College 1961 who will never forget Assumption defeating Holy Cross in the Worcester Auditorium in the late 1950"s God BLESS
February 7, 2019
Diane,
Our condolences on the passing of your dad to you and family. We knew Andy well through his association with Worcester Academy when I served as the Director of Athletics and The Sports Camp. We will never forget his contribution to coaching and teaching kids the sport he loved.
Tom & Peg Blackburn - HarwichPort
February 7, 2019
To the Lask family,
Andy was a class act from start to finish, put Assumption on the collegiate basketball map, games against Providence, Holy Cross and the like. His legacy will live long with all the Greyhound family.
Omer Cormier '52
Jack and Eileen DuBois
February 7, 2019
Diane
Eileen and I extend our sincere and deepest sympathies to you and your family on the passing of your father. He was a total professional in all his roles with Assumption athletics as well as caring role model to me and many of the class of 1969. I clearly remember the night that he won his 200 career victory and the humility that he demonstrated. May God Bless Andy Laska and his family
G
Roger Trepanier AC 61
February 7, 2019
Condolences to Diane and the Laska family. Gréât mémories of team travel to road games in the Laska station wagon. Respected by everyone who knew him, Andy was the definition of à nice guy.
Paul Kirby
February 6, 2019
Dear Diane, Kim and family. You dad, Coach Andy , was a very special person to the many, many people whose lives he touched in Worcester and at Assumption. We all loved him. May he rest in peace.
Roger Trepanier AC'61
February 6, 2019
Roger Trepanier AC 61
February 6, 2019
John Masssro
February 6, 2019
Diane and Family: I was sorry to learn of Coach Laska's death. There must be some solace in the long, meaningful and accomplished life he led. He recruited me to Assumption College in 1959, affording the opportunity to be the first in my extended New Jersey family to attend college away from home. For that alone, and yet so much more, I will always ber grateful.
Artie Lindberg
February 6, 2019
Diane, my brother Stephen and I are truly sorry to hear about your Dad. He was a true friend to the Lindberg family and we will miss him. It is never easy losing a parent regardless of the circumstances, but he gave all of us so many good memories. I hope all of these memories will help you and your family as time goes on. On behalf of Stephen and I, please extend our deepest sympathies to your family. God Bless Artie Lindberg
February 6, 2019
Dear Diane, We are sorry to hear of the passing
of your father. He was so well thought of and he was Mr. AC for some many, many years. Our condolences. Rob and Karen Robitaille and Roger and Laurel Goulet from the AC Class of 1076.
Ron Zenaro
February 6, 2019
Dear Diane and family. So sorry to hear of Dad's passing. Had known him since 1956 as my first days at Assumption. A man of many talents.Sorry to not being able to personally offer our condolences. Ron Zenaro and family.St. Maarten.
Joyce Yarrow
February 5, 2019
So many fond memories of all our family trips
February 5, 2019
Andy and my dad had been friends since they were 10 years old. This is a sad day for the entire Kane family.
Bill Kane
February 5, 2019
Diane and
family, My thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of Andy. We shared many good times together when he was at Assumption and Pleasant Valley. God Bless! Henry Landress
Jim Cosgrove
February 5, 2019
Mike, Diane and All Andy's Family,
I was very sorry to learn of your loss. Andy, now born to eternal life and love in our Savior, your Mom and each of you are and will remain in my prayers.
Jim Cosgrove, APS '66
Bob Dwyer
February 5, 2019
Diane and family, My prayers and deepest condolences. Mr Laska is, and will always be, an icon for those of us who are Greyhounds.
Natalie Marrino
February 4, 2019
Dear Donna and Andy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief. May your memories surround and comfort you in the coming days and months. Your Dad is now your angel.
With Deepest Sympathies,
Scarlett Ferraro
February 4, 2019
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Scarlett
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Feb
8
Calling hours
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Athy Memorial Home - Worcester111 Lancaster St, Worcester, MA 01609
Feb
9
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