Jon-Michael Lasher, of Selden, who was known for his gift of playing the saxophone, died on Monday, April 22 after battling cancer for more than a decade.
The band director at Connetquot High School in Bohemia since 2003, district officials said Lasher was a champion for music and dedicated to his students.
Lasher, who grew up in Bohemia, attended SUNY Potsdam where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education. He received a master's degree in music performance from Duquesne University and a certificate in school district administration from Long Island University. He taught at several schools before joining Connetquot schools in 2003.
For the past few months, students, fellow teachers, and family and friends have been wearing gray ribbons in his honor, the color to symbolize brain cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Lasher, his daughter, Maggie, 16, and son, Thomas, 12; parents, John and Lucille Lasher; sisters Laurie Tramuta, and Jacqueline Rizzuto, and brother James Lasher.
Services will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Selden. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, a college fund has been established for his children. Contributions can be made in the form of a check to Jon's wife; Susan Lasher, 11 Catherine Drive, Selden, NY, 11784. To leave a tribute, click here.
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