John S. Lascoe

Lascoe, John S. age 76, resident of Washington. He passed away on Monday, September 22, 2014 at Karmanos Cancer Institute. He was born January 6, 1938 in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Katherine Lascoe. He was past member of the Utica Rotary Club, charter member of the Gerald C. Friend Memorial Scholarship Foundation and an attorney. Beloved husband of Joanne. Loving father of John J. Pamela Lascoe, Jason P. Lori Lascoe, Joan Marie Robert Battin, and Jerry Dorene Lascoe. Proud grandfather of Kirsten, John, Caroline, Ioan, Colton, Annalisa, Trey, Alayna, Pierce, and Clay. Visitation at the Wm Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road 3 blks. E. of Van Dyke Utica, Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm with a prayer service Thursday at 7:00 pm. Saturday in state at 9:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 343 S. Main Street, Romeo. Memorials appreciated to The Capuchins Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207. Please share a memory at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com. JOHN S. LASCOE Celebrating 50 years of Practice ~ by Gail Pamukov-Miller, Esq. On September 19, 2014, John S. Lascoe, Esq. and other attorneys from the class of 1964, will be honored by the State Bar of Michigan to celebrate their 50th year of admission to the practice of law. Practicing law of 50 years, and being successful at it, is no small feat. All of us who know and worked with John over the years, offer congratulations for his many successful years of practice and for being an example of how to lawyer, have fun and gather friends while doing so. John grew up in Chesterton, Indiana. According to John's wife, while attending Chesterton High School, he was class president for four years, and student council president for three. John's big personality and entrepreneurial spirit started to emerge at this time. As class president, somehow, John managed to secure his own office at the high school. He also put together an award winning yearbook, the year he was responsible for publishing it. After completing high school, John attended Marquette University and obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1961. He then attended the University of Detroit Law School, graduating in 1964. While in law school, John met his wife, Joanne. At the time, they were both working at the Indiana State Park. Eventually, a mutual friend formally introduced them and after a three week courtship, John asked Joanne to marry him. Like most young couples, they had little money. John, being the ever practical man that he was, told Joanne that after they saved $2, 000.00 they could get married. The couple married in 1962 while John was in law school. After John finished law school, he began working at the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. Subsequently 1968 - 1983, he joined and eventually became a managing partner of then, Stewart, O'Reilly, Lascoe, Cornell and Rancilio, PC. At the same time 1971 - 1983, John was also Assistant Sterling Heights City Attorney. In 1983, John opened his own practice in Sterling Heights. John has a general practice with an emphasis on criminal and family law matters. John has been a member of the Macomb County Bar and State Bar of Michigan since 1965. He has been AV rated by Martindale Hubbell since 1970. John has innumerable professional associations. However, most significantly, over the last 5 years he has arbitrated or mediated over 200 cases per year. John's reputation as a lawyer and person is extraordinary. The following are comments from friends and colleagues who have known John during his many years of practice: Macomb County Friend of the Court, Lynn Davidson, Esq.: When I think of John Lascoe, I think of a very seasoned counselor of the law who provides good, sound advice to his clients; a very generous human being; a person you could go to for help, who would actually help you; and an excellent mediator who provides real life solutions. Michigan Court of Appeals, Honorable Pat Donofrio: John's favorite question is: "What's the scoop?" He is like a gossip columnist looking for inside information about anyone or everything, both inside and outside the Court. John can be irreverent, and his approach to litigation and mediation range from charming to humorous to matter-of-fact. He used all of his skills, as well as his reality based approach to life to effectively close cases at mediation. Macomb County Friend of the Court, David Elias, Esq.: John Lascoe has been and will always be a true friend to people from all walks of life. His often gruff exterior and politically incorrect positions, mask one of the kindest, most generous human beings I have ever had the privilege to know and work with. His mediation/arbitration style falls into that realist theme. John has helped people through hard times, sometimes with a smile and sometimes with harsh reality. Rhonda Esler, Secretary to Honorable Kathryn Viviano: John has nicknames for everyone. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He is a kind and caring person who would do anything for anyone. Macomb County Friend of the Court, Zaira Maio, Esq.: Shortly after getting divorced and becoming a single mother of two children, I will never forget Christmas 1998, when John Lascoe approached me and asked if there is anything I needed because he wanted to make sure my girls had a good Christmas. I knew I could take John's offer to the bank. Fortunately, I did not need to take John up on his offer, but I was so touched that he was willing to extend himself to help me. It is that very extension of himself as a mediator and family law practitioner that makes John a top-shelf, one of a kind family law practitioner. Macomb County Deputy Sheriff, Mark Mileski: After 28 years with the Sheriff's Department and thinking about the countless characters that I have met, when you climb to the top of Mt. Macomb, there sits the most colorful of them all, John Lascoe. To those of us that know him well, John is the most straight talking, straight forward, straight shooting, no nonsense guy in the business. His integrity is unquestioned and loyalty to his friends is second to none. Macomb County Deputy Sheriff, Richard Norton: I met John when I was a young deputy. When I moved over to Circuit Court I believe I met the true John Lascoe, strong, hard-nosed and quite possibly the most giving man I have ever met. Deep down under that tough exterior there is a very soft and caring man. Sue Reed, Legal Assistant to John Lascoe: He is the best boss anyone could have. I think we make a great team and after nearly 18 years of working for and with him, I consider him a dear friend. Macomb County Circuit Court, Honorable Mark Switalski: I worked with John a lot in the Family Division. He is a very popular choice among attorneys as their mediator. He settles cases. He always reads the mediation summaries. He not only reads them, he understands each litigants position and immediately tells them his assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their case. He hates not settling a case. Even more, if David Elias settles the case later. Macomb County Circuit Court, Ret. Honorable Antonio Viviano: Two qualities stand out in John: Honesty and Integrity. Anyone who knows John, knows he does not put on airs, he tells you like it is. He is a talented lawyer and for many years has helped many people. It is an honor to be John's friend. I love John. He is truly my brother. Macomb County Circuit Court, Honoable Kathryn Viviano: John has the courage to tell you what you need to hear. You never have to guess at what he thinks. He doesn't mince words for which I am always grateful. John is tough on the outside, but as we all know, kind, generous, and soft on the inside. I am honored to be a colleague. Macomb County Circuit Court, Honorable Tracey Yokich: John is truly an inspiration to lawyers, young and old. His calm, professional and compassionate approach to helping families navigate divorce and custody litigation reflects a gentle and understanding heart. He is tremendously generous with his time and experience. John is an extraordinary man who has touched so many lives. Besides the admiration of myriad friends and colleagues, John has enjoyed the love and support of his family over his many years of law practice. John and Joanne have been married for 52 years. They have four children, John an attorney; Jason an insurance adjustor; Joan a teacher; and Jerome an attorney. They enjoy their ten grandchildren and are soon to be great grandparents. For all of us who have had the pleasure of knowing John and working with him through his many years of practice, we thank you for being our friend, colleague and mentor and congratulate you on a career well lived.

John S. Lascoe

January 6, 1938 - September 22, 2014