Mrs Gail A. Lascko

Thomaston – Mrs. Gail A. (Rogozinski) Lascko, 65, passed away on Thursday, November 12, at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Mark A. Lascko.
 
Gail was born November 22, 1954 in Torrington, daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Pappalardo) Rogozinski. Raised in Thomaston she attended local schools and was a graduate of Thomaston High School, class of 1972. Gail then went on to receive her Bachelors and Master’s degrees from Central Connecticut State University. 
 
In addition to her husband she is survived by her children, Cara R. Files and her husband Robert of Thomaston and Marc J. Lascko and his wife Rebecca of Thomaston; her brother, Paul Rogozinski of Haddam; her step sister, Joanne Perrone of Thomaston; her grandchildren, Anthony, Vincent and Hunter and her faithful canine friends, Maya and Nikki. 
 
Gail spent the majority of her career as a 6th grade math teacher at the Thomaston Center School. Her past students always knew about Mrs. Lascko’s classroom on the bottom floor, with the stairs. She probably couldn’t even count how many times she had to correct students who couldn’t resist jumping down those stairs into her classroom! Past students highly praised her efforts to encourage and be successful in math. Aside from her many hours in the classroom, Gail also took pride in establishing the 6th Grade Drama Club, which she successfully produced 14 productions at the Thomaston Opera House. Gail established a mentoring program, and ran a spelling bee. Her dedication to education in Thomaston also led her to earning recognition as Thomaston’s 2009 Teacher of the Year. 
 
Gail also enjoyed traveling the world. She visited several locations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Europe, including a special trip to Sicily, where her family’s namesake, Pappalardo, originated.  Together with her children, she traveled to several states, both up and down the east coast and west coast of the United States, and of course her favorite, was traveling to Hawaii, which she was able to visit multiple times.
 
Gail and her husband Mark were also huge Yankee fans! They held season tickets for the past few years and wouldn’t miss a game! After games, they both enjoyed dinner at City Island Lobster House. Dad frequently brought her to seafood restaurants, which she was not at all a fan of seafood, but she would enjoy a prime rib as her meal of choice!
 
Holidays were also a very important part of Gail’s life. She enjoyed hosting many events and always welcomed family and friends to be around the table with her. Gail’s famous antipasto was always a hit, as well as her amazing baked stuffed shrimp, even though, again, she wasn’t a seafood eater. Gail always made sure those who surrounded her were overloaded with gifts at every holiday, and her generosity was appreciated by so many.
 
In 2012, Gail earned a new title as Grandma to her first grandchild Anthony. There wasn’t a moment that she wasn’t visiting, checking in on him by phone. She was even given the honor of being his Godmother. Five years later, her next two grandson’s Vincent and Hunter, were born. Her grandchildren were her world. They could always put a smile on her face no matter what. She even loved when they would battle to see who could sit on her lap. It truly melted her heart.
 
Family always came first to Gail. No matter what the circumstances may be, as the matriarch of the family, she always made sure her family was together. She welcomed her son-in-law and daughter-in-law’s family to every event as if they had been a part of her life forever. She constantly checked in on her brother, her nephew’s family, and even her best friends. They could always count on her to be there for anything they needed. 
 
Gail was an inspiration to so many in her family, her friends, and community, and will be missed dearly. Gail fought her battle with cancer with resilience and many did not know her struggle because whenever she saw someone she knew, a smile greeted them, rather than the pain. As a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law, and friend, she encompassed the qualities of an angel. We know that Gail will be proudly watching over all of us. May she rest in peace with her loved ones that went before her. We love you Gail, Mom, Mama, Grandma, Auntie, Sister, Cousin, and Friend. You are in our hearts forever.
 
Walk through calling hours will be held on Friday, November 20, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. Thomaston. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Church. Burial of cremains will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Masks are required to enter the funeral home and the church and social distancing will be strictly enforced.