Lawrence Colassacco

PESHTIGO, Wis. - Lawrence Colassacco, 81, passed away peacefully Monday at his home with his wife of nearly 52 years by his side. Born, April 13, 1934, in Ironwood, Mich., to Fiore and Anna Colassacco, he married Mary Ann Dennison June 8, 1963, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville.

Larry was a graduate of Luther L. Wright High School, Ironwood, and furthered his education at Michigan Tech and General Motors Institute. He received a Bachelor of Science at University of Wisconsin-Superior and master's degree from the University of Dayton. He discovered the love of teaching first at Elcho then Port Washington, and in 1964 established his home in the Peshtigo School system. As a math teacher, advisor for National Honors Society and a senior class advisor, Mr. Colassacco impacted many lives and provided a foundation for all our futures, investing his time in the value of education. This valued mentor, leader and educator retired in 1996 from Peshtigo Schools.

Larry enjoyed many things besides teaching, like gardening, sports and camping trips from the east to the west ends of the U.S.A. with many trips to the lakes of northern Wisconsin and the shores of Lake Superior. Some of Larry's favorite times with his family were at the cottage reminiscing and telling stories about times that have gone by. The grandchildren would just sit and listen to the stories he told, the songs that were sung while going to the dump, or the stories about fishing with his dad while camping. The grandchildren always listen because at the end the story it always ended in "you know what, you know what, I love you!" Prior to retirement, he enjoyed the drive to Alaska and a ferry ride back with Mary. After retiring, he traveled to Italy. His caring and compassionate nature has effected many people and will be missed by many more.

Larry is survived by his wife, Mary; 3 daughters, Ann (Scot) Cameron and children, Amanda (Eric) and Garrett; Tammy (Lee) Backman and children, Kaitlyn and Matthew; Kathy (Doug) Grun and children, John, Jennifer, Lexie and James; a son, Larry (Tammy) Colassacco and children, Lance, Vincent, Ellie and Onika; 2 brothers, Robert (Kitti) Colassacco and William (Vivian) Colassacco; and sisters-in-law, Florence Dennison and Hilda Dennison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fiore and Anna (Consie) Colassacco; a sister, Jackie Alexandroni; nephew, William (Billy) Colassacco; brothers-in-law, Robert, John, Earl T., James Dennison and Louis Alexandroni; and a sister-in-law, Grace Dennison.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 24, at Berth & Rosenthal Funeral Home, 331 S. Ellis Ave., Peshtigo, Wis., from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. with Father Robert Karuhn. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Peshtigo.