Howard Lasher, of Delray Beach, Fla., New York City and formerly Newtown, passed away peacefully at home in Florida at the age of 81 on May 15, 2022.

Howard was husband to Jeanette Hubley-Lasher and father to Lee Lasher of Englewood, N.J., and Drew Lasher of NYC, and a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather.

Howard was born on February 21, 1941, on New York’s Lower East Side. His father, Louis, passed away when Howard was only three years old and Howard was raised by his mother, Ida, with the support of an extended family and community. Howard worked hard to succeed in life, including graduating from City College, where he attended night classes while working during the day.

Howard eventually became a Floor Broker on the American Stock Exchange where he worked for over 40 years. He was an Amex Floor Governor, and was well known and respected by his peers.

After working at various firms Howard created his own company, The Lasher Group, where he achieved great success and retired from in 2011.

“The Lash” as he was known, was famous for his work ethic, warmth and life lessons including “When You Have A Job To Do You Do It And You Do It The Right Way, No Excuses,” “Dress British, Think Yiddish And You Will Be Successful,” “Your Word Is Your Bond,” “Never Take For Granted Life’s Blessings And Always Give Back,” “I Am Here For You 25 And 8,” “Always With Love! Lash,” and others.

Howard was a humanitarian and philanthropist and always wanted to help. He supported so many organizations, those close to his heart included Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Koby Mandell Foundation, Jewish Federation, Chabad, and Salvation Army. Local organizations Howard supported were Newtown Parks and Recreation helping to send children to summer camp, and Newtown Scholarship Association helping to send graduating high school seniors to college.

“Howard’s large heart always wanted to give back to the children in our community and help them be able to attend camp,” said Newtown Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold.

“He always told us that when he was a young child someone gave him the same opportunity and it changed his life. Because of that he continued to want to change the lives of others,” she continued. “Howard gave hundreds of children the opportunity to attend the Newtown Parks and Recreation Day Camp program. We will always be grateful, and we know he has changed the lives of many for the better. We will miss him very much. “

Howard spent his retirement years in “the country,” living in Newtown with his beloved wife Jeanette enjoying tennis, swimming, and especially spending quality time with friends, but always was available for his children, grand- and great-grandchildren. Some of Howard’s routine stops in town included visiting Ferris Acres Creamery to get his favorite special-order shakes or heading to Castle Hill Farm for the fresh veggies, but most of all, he loved lounging in his yard at “Jolly Hill.”

During baseball season, Howard could be found in his favorite chair watching his beloved New York Yankees. After a game, Howard could recite the happenings of every inning.

One only needs to mention the “American flag of trees” and everyone’s mind flashes to Lash. He built a beautiful flag memorial on his property to honor nine friends lost on 9/11, and for many years, held a ceremony to continue to honor those friends. A picture of this memorial is in the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Howard sold Jolly Hill and moved to Delray Beach. His heart was heavy leaving Newtown, but it didn’t take much time to fall in love with Addison Reserve, make many friends and enjoy and continue his vibrant lifestyle in a new setting.

Howard was a man of warmth, values, persistence, resilience, hard work, integrity, love, friendship. He was a man who respected all people and was a proud Jew. He was a great husband to Jeanette, great father to Drew and Lee, father-in-law to Cheryl, wonderful grandfather to Gabrielle and Jake Moskovitz, David Lasher and Jake Lasher, and loving great-grandfather to Noah and Caleb. May his memory be a blessing.

Services were conducted and Howard has been buried in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard Lasher’s memory can be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, guidingeyes.org; Newtown Parks & Recreation, 8 Simpson Street Newtown CT 06470 or newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation; and Newtown Scholarship Association, newtownscholarship.org.