Bernard John Laskowski
Bernard John 'Bernie' Laskowski, 60, of Blackstone Village, Meriden, husband of Constance 'Connie' Ballhaussen Laskowski passed away suddenly at his home June 19, 2008. He was born May 26, 1948 in Newark, NJ a son of the late Edward P. and Leah (Slowinski) Laskowski. Bernie is a graduate of St. Vincent College in PA, the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in NYC and Cambridge College where he earned his Master's Degree. He was the founder of the Mortuary Science Program, at Briarwood College in Southington, CT 16 years ago, retiring in May 2008. Besides his wife Connie, Bernie is survived by a daughter Lee Laskowski of Mesa, AZ, two sons, Joseph and his wife Christine Laskowski of Wallingford, CT and Alex and his wife Sherlly Cortes of Southington, CT; four grandchildren Thomas, Michael and Daniel Laskowski and Gabriel Cortes; two sisters Regina Cuber of Manchester, NJ and Barbara Scurko and her husband Steve of Denville, NJ and a brother Rev. Norbert Laskowski of Rochelle Park, NJ. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law Edward Cuber. Funeral from Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St., Meriden, CT. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Meriden. Relatives and friends may call at the Laskowski 'Union' Funeral Home, 1600 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ on Sunday, June 22 from 2-5 p.m. and at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home on Monday, June 23 from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions in Bernie's memory may be made to the Bernard J. Laskowski Scholarship, Briarwood College, Att: Andrea Hanson, 2279 Mt.Vernon Rd., Southington, CT 06489.
Alex, you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you during this time. Sincerely, Kimbely and Sarah
Bernie had become a fixture at the annual American Board of Funeral Service Education meetings. We enjoyed his company, his knowledge, and his humor. He will be missed greatly. Richie Lawson, Larry Anderson, John Mitchell–Northwest Mississippi Community College, Funeral Service Technology Program.
Bernie was a great advisor,teacher,and mentor. He will be deeply missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Laskowski family.
Bernie was a great professor and mentor. I enjoyed having him as a professor and will never forget about the times that we talked about our favorite baseball team, the New York Mets. He will be greatly missed by all and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Bernie was a great professor, mentor, and friend. I will dearly miss him.
Bernie was a leader in the affairs of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. His contributions to funeral service and mortuary science educaton are enormous. Beyond that, he will be remembered for his wit and for his friendship by his colleagues in the education profession. All of us extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Michael Smith, Executive Director, American Board of Funeral Service Education
Bernie was such a memorable part of my years in Connecticut, and who can forget how he helped me out doing my last semester from home because of an illness in my family? His support and encouragement allowed me to walk proudly up to that podium in 2005 and I am who I am today because of getting my degree at Briarwood. Have a blessed journey, Bernie! You will be missed so much…
Bernie will be missed dearly. He always told jokes and they were the best. I was so sad when he told me that he was going to retire. I can’t imagine him not here. There were many reports we worked on together for the board at the College. He helped me get through them. I am very sorry for your loss.
Bernie will be sorely missed at Briarwood by all who came in contact with him: students, faculty, staff and alumni. I always remember the warm welcome Bernie gave me when I came to Briarwood and the bond that we established given our ties to New Jersey. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Donna Yamanis
Connie and family- On behalf of our staff and myself, You will be in our prayers and thoughts. He had so much love for you all. He always talked about going to Jersey and enjoying his grandchildren. He will be missed by many.
Connie and family, My deepest condolences. My heart is broken. Bernie was a sweet, humerous, caring man, and I will miss talking with him. His legacy will be the program that he founded at Briarwood and all thewonderful men and women who graduate from that program – He helped shape their futures!
Connie and the entire Laskowski family, Please know that you are in my prayers during this difficult time. Bernie was truly a gifted instructor and mentor, but most importantly, a true friend. He had the ability to make people feel comfortable about anything and knew how to talk to someone without talking down to them. I will miss the many conversations he and I had about everything from his knowledge of Funeral Service to his trips on Route 80 through Pennsylvania on his way to Latrobe. His jovial stance on many issues will be missed but most importantly, it will be his boldness and ability to not hold anything back when discussing anything. May the Good Lord comfort all of you now and for the days to come and just know that there is no doubt that Heaven is a better place now that Bernie’s there. God Bless you Bernie.. Rest In Peace, my friend Ryan .Pell. Pellman
Connie, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I have always heard you say how wonderful a person he was. Remember the times you shared together and he will always be with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Connie, I am truly sorry to hear about Bernie. Such a wonderful man with a unique sense of humor. He was an awesome teacher with a knack for getting everyone to comprehend what he was teaching and putting it into application. I just can’t say enough about him. He will be missed as a teacher and a friend. I am sure Bernie is already in Heaven so I’ll pray for you and your family. God bless – Mark
Connie, I just found out about your husband’s passing. I am so sorry; I’m sure he was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Connie, I was so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. I didn’t know him of course, but he obviously touched many lives and left many wonderful impressions on the people who came in contact with him. My condolences to you and your family
Connie, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. May all the wonderful memories you’ve shared over the years bring you comfort. God Bless you and your family. Carol O’Brien
Connie, My deepest sympathy to you and your family, in this difficult time. I graduated from Briairwood College in 1996. Bernie always had a humoristic view, but serious at times teaching Mortuary Science. My condolences to the Laskowski family.
Connie, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family in this difficult time. Bernie was very well liked and enjoyed by many who know him. Rob Sagarino & Kay Sagarino
Connie. I am so sorry to hear of your husbands passing. Although I never met him personaly I can only imagine what a great person he must of been. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family in this very dificult time.
Dear Connie, I just heard of Bernies passing. I am so sorry to hear the devastating news. I held Bernie’s wisdom and sense of humor close to my heart. He cheered me up when things looked hopeless. He was able to take a mortuary program and make it fun. It takes a special man to do such a thing. He will be sorely missed by all who’s life he touched. Briarwood is his enteral legacy and one you and your family should be forever proud. He has touched mine and thousands of lives in such a positive and uplifting way. God Bless you and may Bernie Rest in Peace for Eternity.
Dear Connie, Lee, Joseph, Alex and families. Our hearts are deeply touched by Bernie’s death. Mere words cannot ease your pain right now, but the love and prayers of friends and family shall be everpresent for all of you as you begin your transition onto life without Bernie’s physical presence. He has not gone far, just from our sight. We are so sorry you have all had to go through this experience. As we love him too, we shall feel the loss of this wonderful man, along with you, for a long time to come. Love and prayers always.
Dear Connie, We will be forever GREATFUL to you and Bernie…He always treated Alex just like his own .Son. which was so important in the .BIG SCEME OF THINGS. … we can be proud of our accomplishment of raising children who have become very good people. The Cortes family will remember and respect .Bernie. … we were all fortunate to have known him. Stay Strong … We have a wonderful supportive family Jack & Helen Cortes
Dear Mrs. Laskowski I could have not asked for a better professor when it came to my daughter Autumn’s education. Bernie, she misses you dearly. And so will hundreds of other students who would have learned so much from you and will never get the chance. Peace be with you now.
Farewell to my cousin-in-law, a warm and gracious soul, with the honor of being the supreme punster I have known, unbeatable. Blessings & Peace to Connie, and all the .kids. (Lee, Joe, Alex) & grandkids, Linda & Jim, & Aunt Connie.
Hi: I last saw Bernie at the Briarwood college copier during finals. We always had fun conversations. I regret that I am in North Carolina this week. I will be at the services in spirit. My condolences to Bernie’s family. He was a great and fun-loving guy. Jane Stango
Hold tight to your memories for they never fade away…Bernie was my teacher/advisor @ Briarwood..May he rest in Peace.
I am very sorry for your loss. Bernie, was a wonderful teacher. He really cared for his students. Bernie said once that I will always remember . It is always good to have a sense of humor in the funeral business. It always brought a smile to my face. He will be dearly missed. ( Briarwood student)
I can’t even express how sorry I am for everyone. He will be greatly missed, but he will always be with us.
I just found out about the death of Bernie and I’m SO sorry. Let me tell you Connie, he was a funny guy. I hope you are getting through this diffcult time. My prayers are with you.
I recently received notification of Bernie’s passing from St. Vincent College. I want to express my deepest condolences. Bernie was a great guy. I can remember a trip that the Business Club made to NYC. We caravaned to Bernie’s parents’ home where we left our cars. Bernie and his parents were so gracious. Bernie will be missed. Our prayers are with him and his family.
I was a Mortuary Science Student of Bernie at Briarwood College Class of 1999 I am So Sorry to hear about the Loss of Bernie. He was a great professor Greg Smith
I will truly miss working with Bernie as I am sure many many others will. Our prayers are with you all.
I would like to say to the family of bernie that I was sadden to hear that my buddy had passed away.I know he is in a better place now cause he was loved while he was here and I know he is with the lord.I would like to send my deepest sympathy at this time to the family and let you all know that I will be praying for you all and hope that GOD see you threw this time of a love one lost.To GOD be the glory.
I’m sorry for your loss
my deepest condolences to you and your family in this time of sorrow.i spoke to bernie in 2001 and decided to join the program this year.,thanks bernie
My deepest heart felt sympathy to the family. I’ll miss Bernie. He always called me . Rev. Al Sparton .. My thoughts and prayers go to his family.
My sincerest Condolences to the family. Bernie was a great guy who always had an humoristic view of life and shared that with all who came into contact with him. I graduated from Briarwood in 1996 and can say we all shared great times with Bernie. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.
Our hearts go out to this man, who molded many men and women of New England and beyond, into successful funeral professionals today. His legacy will continue on as many deserving students utilize the scholarship, created in Bernie’s name. Our condolences to the entire Laskowski clan. The staff of Norwalk’s Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families. God bless.
Rest in peace Bernie.
Sorry I could not be there, I will miss Bernard he was a great guy.
Sorry to here about your loss. Bernard was a great guy he will be missed by all that known him. Miss Laskowski my pray go out to you and your family. (Briarwood student.)
Sorry to here about your loss. Bernard was a great guy he will be missed by all that known him. Miss Laskowski my prayers go out to you and your family. (Briarwood student.)
THe staff meetings will not be the same without your mordant and pieering humor!! My you travel on this next stage of the journey lightened by the slughing off of the loads of your life; you will be fondly remembered for your humor and dedication to the Mortuary Science Program at Briarwood College.
The Staff of Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory of Stamford sends our heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
to the Laskowski Family I am a student at the college and Bernard was a great advisor for the four years that I knew him and i was able to take the last Funeral Law Class that he tought this past semester. I will miss him and i will keep your family in my prayers Shawn
To the Laskowski family, you have my deepest sympathy. I am a student of the Mortuary program, and I had the privilege of having Mr. Laskowski as a professor,advisor, and friend. He was a great man and always had a joke to tell; furthermore, he will be missed and never forgotten.
To the Laskowski Family: Please accept my deepest sympathy. Briarwood will not be the same without him. Jessie M.Harding Briarwood Learning Center
We always enjoyed Bernie’s upbeat attitude and universal smile. He accepted problems gracefully and fulfilled his duties fervently. One of the Good Guys !!! Gordon and Beverly
We will be thinking of you and your family. May your father’s spirit and the best memories live on.
You have touched many people’s lives! I will miss your jokes and will use them when talking to Briarwood students! You are missed Bernie!