Lawrence Lysaght Hassell

COLONIE - Lawrence Lysaght Hassell, 90, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. He was the beloved husband of the late Joan Marie (O'Connor Hassell) with whom he shared sixty blissful years of marriage. Larry is a graduate of Fordham University. He served in the US Army Air Force in WWII as a navigator on B-24's flying 35 combat missions and retired as a Major after serving twenty years in the US Air Force reserve. Larry worked in various administrative positions for the State of New York, retiring in 1988 from the Racing and Wagering Board where he was Director of Personnel. He and Joan then enjoyed their retirement, traveling to all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe.

Larry is the loving father of Lawrence J. Hassell and his wife, Cheryl of Brighton, MI, Nancy J. Hassell of Salem, MA, Thomas K. Hassell and his wife, Nancy of New Hope, PA, Francis P. Hassell of Albany, NY, Therese Hassell and her partner, Joseph Santiago of Stony Point, NY and Robert B. Hassell and his partner, Diane Kiladis of Medford, MA. He is the cherished grandfather of Sean (Tricia), Ryan, Marc, Michael, Andrew, and Allyson. Larry is also survived by his cousins, Tom D'Arcy and his wife, Joan and family, Barbara Gunter and John and Katie McKeefe as well as his brothers-in-law, Jack O'Connor and his wife, Ann and their family, Jim O'Connor and his wife, Ada and their family and Kathleen O'Connor and her family.

Larry will always be loved and is already missed by those whose lives he brightened with his knowledge, humor, wisdom, love of music, and inimitable flair for fashion.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, Guilderland. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers and at the request of the family, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Parkinson's Research Fund, Albany Medical Center A119, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or the Alzheimer's Association of NENY, Pine West Plaza, Bldg. 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205 in memory of Lawrence L. Hassell.