Richard "Dick" Lazarony

Richard "Dick" Lazarony (CMSgt, USAF-Retired) 1929 – 2015

Dick Lazarony (aka: "Laz"), 86, of Ft. Collins, Colorado passed away July 21st, 2015 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins after succumbing to pneumonia.

A Memorial Service is planned for 9:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1st at Unity Church – 1401 W Vine Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80521 (970) 482-1620. Peggy Christiansen will officiate the service followed immediately by a Graveside Service, with full Military Honors at Roselawn Cemetery, 2718 Mulberry Street, Fort Collins.

Richard John Lazarony was born in Fredonia, New York to Frank and Bertha Lazarony. Dick grew up in Fredonia, graduated from Fredonia HS and attended Fredonia State Teachers College. During his military service to our country for over 30 years, Dick also lived in Georgia, Alaska (Anchorage during the 1964 earthquake), Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Colorado.

In his early years, Dick played basketball, football, and baseball. He continued to be an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life (and in his final days, even a women's soccer enthusiast).
Dick first served in the Army for approximately 2 years and then in the Air Force for approximately 28 years. During his military service, Dick earned the following decorations and citations: WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Japan, AF Commendation Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and AF Outstanding Unit Award. Throughout his service in the Air Force, Dick was a member of the United States Air Force Band and served in several capacities including band member (Trumpet), band supervisor, band leader, and band conductor. Dick was a member of many military band ensembles including numerous marching, dance and concert bands, The Starlighters, The Ambassadors, The Skytones, Airmen of Note, Mach One, and the United States Air Force Band in Washington, DC. Of the many domestic and foreign performance venues, location highlights included the White House, Constitution Hall, the Kennedy Center and even the Tonight Show (Carson era). Dick had the honor of meeting and performing with many famous "best era in music" artists. After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, Dick purchased "The Record Mart" in Olde Towne Alexandria, VA which specialized in rare and hard to find music recordings.
Dick attended restaurant management school and became a partner in a restaurant in Olde Towne Alexandria for a short period and enjoyed cooking throughout most of his life.

Though a baptized Roman Catholic, Dick took to a path of spirituality in his later years and made an intensive and intimate study of "A Course in Miracles" in which he achieved a teacher level of understanding. More importantly, as a result of Dick's study of "the Course", he acquired an acute understanding of human behavior and made "the Course" his remaining lifelong focus of learning to hear the Holy Spirit's voice.

Dick is survived by his son, Robert, of Loveland, CO; grandchildren, Jenell and Jason; great grandchildren, Carson and Camren; and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by two sons, Bradley and Kenneth; his parents, Frank and Bertha Lazarony; his brothers, Vincent Lazarony, Philip Lazarony, Horace Lazarony, Larry Smith, Louis Lazaron, Donald Lazarony; and his sister, Lena Stratton.

The family suggests that any memorial donations be made to: Foothills Gateway - 301 Skyway Dr., Fort Collins, CO. 80525 (970) 226-2345 (in support of special needs)

Please send any flowers to either Goes Funeral Care & Crematory by 5:00 PM, Friday, July 31st or to the Unity Church of Fort Collins no later than 8:30 AM, Saturday, August 1st (the church is closed on Friday.)

Poem
"A death has occurred and everything is changed. We are painfully aware that life can never be the same again, That yesterday is over, That relationships once rich have ended. But there is another way to look upon this truth. If life now went on the same, without the presence of the one who had died, we could only conclude that the life we remember made no contribution, filled no space, meant nothing. The fact that this person left behind a place that cannot be filled is a high tribute to this individual. Life can be the same after a trinket has been lost, but never after the loss of a treasure." By: Paul Irion

A few things "Laz" believed in
Think and do out of love, not fear!
Forgiveness, not condemnation!
Careful, the ego!


Special Thanks to: Jenell Lazarony, Jason Lazarony, Barbara Backs and family, Jessica Slotter, Renata Karlos, Dave Butler, Grace Burdette, Pat Visser, Bruce Lebaron, Paul Novak, Chuck Murray, Dave Menapace, Kate Aiello

For more information, call Rob Lazarony (720) 296-4439