John T. Lascha Jr. (96) passed away peacefully in the company of his wife and daughter Patty at her home in Palm Bay, FL on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

John, fondly known as Jack, was born to John and Malvina Lascha on June 21,1928 in New York City. He joined the Navy when he was 18 years old and served on an icebreaker off the coast of Greenland. He was honorably discharged and married Gloria Nowak in 1952. After serving as an officer with the police department in Danvers, MA for many years, his young family moved to Cape Cod, MA where Jack and Gloria owned and operated the Merry Mill, a collection of small businesses including boat rentals, miniature golf, a gift shop and a printing company.

Eventually craving warm weather and a year-round tourist season, Jack, Gloria and their five children moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where Jack founded “Musicana”, a dinner theatre enterprise that spanned over 25 years and several locations around the country. His greatest legacy aside from his family, was helping more than 2,000 young, aspiring singers launch their careers by providing employment, real life stage experience, and a “home away from home.” Years later in semi-retirement, he founded his last business, CC Video, where two of his children still work shooting and editing video productions both large and small.

Jack’s remarkable life was highlighted by the good he saw in everyone he met. His advice, acts of kindness and generosity, simple faith, and the example he set by practicing what he preached were an inspiration to all who knew him. Jack is survived by Gloria, his beloved wife of 71 years and mother to their five children; Rosemary, John III, Michael, Patricia, and Jeanne, now deceased. He was grandfather to six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.