Alex C. Lasala, Sr.

Alex LaSala Sr. passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born May 27, 1931, in Rockford, the son of Frank and Josephine (Armato) LaSala. Loved by all who met him, he was a light-hearted, extremely generous and kind man. He was a West High School 'heartthrob' to many – but Alex only had eyes for Emma (Bocanelli) whom he married on June 14, 1952 while on furlough from service. He was one of our proud American veterans, having served his country in the Korean War. 'Al' was a self-employed barber. A man of faith, he was a member of St. Anthony's Church Senior Holy Name Society who served as an usher and bowled on their winning league for many years. His passions were family, friends and golf. And he thoroughly enjoyed having breakfast every Thursday morning at Morning Glory with his 'Breakfast Gang.' A friend said it best when he shared, "He was a great man filled with love for everyone he met."
Alex is survived by his wife, Emma; children, Frank (fiancée Tami Lobdell), Adele, Alex Jr. (Judy), Mary K., Bernadette (Rich) McCormick; daughter-in-law, Teri LaSala; Sisters-in-Law Josephine LaSala and Josephine Saporito; Grandchildren, Jessica Lynne (Danny) Phillips, Kelly (Chris) Edwards, Michele (Nick) Fosberg, Alexis, Jessica Ann (fiancée Greg Lundquist), Alex III, Ryan and Abby McCormick; Great-grandchildren, Wrigley, Gentry, Leighton, A.C., Bella, Lyric, and Christian. Extended-immediate nieces and nephews, Ron Bell, Tony (Andrea) Bell and son Andrew, Tracy (Mike) Keeley and daughters Ellie and Emma, Denise and Stephanie Valenti; close friends, Jack Puckett, Jerry Rebecca, Dick Basso, and many more special nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his parents; son, Dominic; Siblings Joe, Mike (Carmella), Anthony (Lucille), Mary, Fannie (George) Cuccia, Sam; Granddaughter, Danielle McCormick, and dear friends Walter Ryan, Leo Cacioppi and Sam Armato (cousin).
On behalf of Alex and his family, special thanks is extended to Dr. Haroon Chughtai, Dr. Peter Marks, Tami Lobdell NP, the staff at At-Home Healthcare and the staff at Heartland Hospice Care.
Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2014 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson St. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2014 with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, (Mulford Chapel) 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and will continue at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.