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Grex Scifi Item 113: In memory of George "Lan" Laskowski (from TUFKA hope)
Entered by tpryan on Wed Jul 21 23:00:47 UTC 1999:

Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 13:17:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: <hope@intranet.org>

Friends, 

I just got a message last night from my dad that George "Lan" Laskowski
(Jr.) has passed away. (George is my cousin on my father's side, as well
as a friend). After speaking with my aunt and conferring with his aunt and
uncle, they asked me to post something to let his friends and the s/f
community know. I'll do my best. I apologize in advance to his family and
friends if I mis-state anything, but my family asked that I "do what is
necessary to let his community know."

You may remember Lan as the editor of the fanzine "Lan's Lantern," which
was well respected and won the Fanzine Hugo in '86 and '91, and was
nominated many other times. He was also a friendly presence at many s/f
cons in SE Michigan and elsewhere, and frequently on programming panels.
He was also a teacher at the Cranbrook Institute, and he was happy to have
been able to finish teaching the semester. 

I know many of you probably know more about his contributions to fandom
than I do, so if you'd like to add to this (or correct any parts), please
do.

Lan was a really great guy, and I miss him. I can't believe he's gone. And
I'm kicking myself for not getting to know him better. <deep sigh>

Obituary from http://www.dnps.com/dnfuneraldirectory/

LASKOWSKI , GEORGE J. Jr. "Lan" July 19, 1999. Age 50. Beloved husband of
Kathleen. Dear step-father of Daniel and Tanya Camargo. Dear son of George
Sr. and Sophie Laskowski. Dear brother of Judy Wilemski (Dennis), June
Enlow (Jim), Janice Rotarius (Tim) and Gary Laskowski. Uncle of Chris,
Nick, Sarah and Joshua. Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond &
Sons, 2600 Crooks Rd. (btw. Maple & Big Beaver) Thursday 3-9 p.m.
Scripture service Thursday 7:30 p.m. Funeral Liturgy begins Friday 9:15
a.m. at the funeral home with procession to St. Thomas More Church (4580
Adams Rd., Troy) for Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.

Some other bits about Lan that I found while trying to write this, while
remembering him late yesterday evening...

A picture of Lan from a convention back in '79

        http://fanac.org/Other_Cons/NorthameriCon/n79-010.html

Hugo awards for Lan's Lantern (George Laskowski, ed.), 1986, 1991 
        http://worldcon.org/hc.html
        http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/awards/hugo.html

If any of you have any photos of Lan or copies of Lan's Lantern, that
you'd be willing to share, please let me know. I'll be at the memorial
tomorrow evening.

Rest in peace, Lan. Ad astra...

Sincerely,

        Susan Hope Dundas

1 responses total.

#1 of 1 by krj on Thu Jul 22 07:24:49 1999:

Hope is George's cousin?!  I had no idea.
 
George and I were never what I could characterize as good friends, 
but we travelled in similar orbits in SF fandom, both of us being 
involved in fanzines and living in Michigan.  I probably knew 
George best as a long-time participant in MISHAP, the Detroit-
based apa in which I was active back in the late 1970s, and 
intermittenly in touch with in later years.  At conventions, 
one of the things I remember him best for was his organizing 
extended hours lifeguard coverage so hotel pools could be kept
open later -- George was a trained lifeguard, and in remarkable
physical shape for an SF fan.  :)
 
In a box somewhere I have a great photo of George at the Atlanta
Worldcon.  The photo was taken in the Marriott lobby about an hour
after he had won the Hugo Award; he's crading the rocket-shaped 
trophy with a happy smile.  If I find that photo, I'll copy it 
for Hope.

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