John L Lasker Jr

John Lasker, Jr. died on September 4, 2024, at the age of 88.

John was the son of Albanian immigrants and he grew up in Watertown and Belmont. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1954 . He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bowdoin College in 1958 and he proudly served in the United States Army, Artillery Division, as a first lieutenant in Korea and at West Point from 1958 – 1960.

He received his DMD degree from Tufts School of Dental Medicine in 1966 and he opened his own practice in Belmont where he faithfully served his patients until his retirement in 2006 . After retirement, he volunteered with a mobile dentistry unit that served inner-city and rural school children.

John served as president of The Middlesex District Dental Society. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Waltham Youth Soccer program and he helped to develop city playing fields. He coached girls’ soccer teams for many years when no one else would, although he did not have a daughter. John volunteered his time on many cold winter mornings assisting with alpine ski races for the Prospect Hill Ski Team. He served on church financial committees and he was the “Super” on many family mission trips. John was “The Mayor of Candlewood Drive”, always helping a neighbor in need.

John was a four-sport college athlete, playing football, lacrosse, hockey and track. He enjoyed boating and golfing. He loved skiing with his family, especially with the over-80 free pass! John was a jazz aficionado, Duke Ellington being his favorite.

John was a loyal and caring friend to all and he enjoyed sharing his talents with family and friends, especially woodworking, handyman skills, shellfishing, vegetable gardening and financial advice. He thrived on teaching his three grandchildren how to be creative and active. He was always cheering (coaching) them on from the sidelines of their activities.

John was pre-deceased by his parents John and Agatha Lasker and his brothers Andrew and Thomas Lasker. He is the husband of Cynthia Olsen Lasker and the father of Matthew Lasker (Wakefield) and Phillip Lasker (Arlington); the father- in-law of Tara Lasker (Arlington) and Erin Lasker (Wakefield); and the grandfather of Mia, Ian and Ryan Lasker. He leaves his sister Geraldine Jones of FL and sister-in-law Betty Lasker of CT; as well as cousins, nephews and nieces.

Visiting hours will be held in the Brown &  Hickey Funeral Home 36 Trapelo Road Belmont on Thursday Sept. 12 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be celebrated in Payson Park Church 365 Belmont Street Belmont on Friday at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to H.O.M.E. Inc. P. O. Box 10 Orland, Maine 04472 https://homemmausa.org/ or New England Center and Home for Veterans 17 Court Street, P. O. Box 845257 Boston, MA. 02284-5257 https://nechv.org/

Following the funeral, the family invites guests to a reception at Branch Line, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown

To watch a live stream of the funeral service please log onto the following https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88406042505