Born on May 14, 1943 to the late Rosamond (Malloy) and Henry Lass, he grew up in Pawtucket, RI and graduated from Tolman High School. He went on to the University of Rhode Island, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy/Turf Management. After graduation, he served in the RI National Guard as an MP. He was the Assistant Superintendent at Pawtucket Country Club for a short time before he became Superintendent at Rehoboth Country Club in 1971, where he remained for approximately 40 years before retiring.
He is survived by his devoted wife Bonnie Lass, daughter Kate and husband Joe Cherepowich, son Adam and partner Crystal Weeks, grandchildren Anna, Alec, Evan and Boman, stepsons Jared Mitnik, Nahum and wife Christina Mitnik and grandchildren Logan, Emma and Noah.
The happiest days of his teen and early adult years were spent hunting, fishing and tinkering about cars with his two best friends on a family owned farm in Seekonk, where they caused plenty of mischief and still laughed about their escapades until the end of his life.
The golf course was central to his life from early adulthood until his later years. In 1972 he built a home abutting the course’s 14th fairway with his first wife Sue and raised 2 children there.
In 1987, Dan met his soulmate Bonnie. They married in 1993 and relocated to Barrington and a home on the Barrington River where, for the past almost 30 years, they enjoyed watching the sunset from their dock or back porch while the boats went by and the birds flew in and out. They spent many happy vacations in the Caribbean.
Dan had a lifelong passion for nature and wildlife and a special love for birds. An avid sportsman, he loved hunting, fishing and boating, as well as competitive skeet shooting. He was an active member of the East Warren Rod and Gun Club. He loved cars and was gifted and highly skilled mechanically, personally maintaining his family’s and the golf courses' vehicles and equipment over the years. He enjoyed music and dancing, reading and watching documentaries. He loved lighting fireworks and his hobbies included building and flying model airplanes.
Dan Lass, aka “Danny” and “Pop”, was tall and handsome, intelligent and often very funny. On occasion his quick, dry but “colorful” sense of humor got him into trouble but still made us laugh. He will be sadly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 12 Sanderson Rd. Smithfield, RI Ri 02917. Calling hours will be Monday, October 23, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the Wilber-Romano Funeral Home, 615 Main St., Warren, RI. The family welcomes anyone who has a memory or a story about Dan they’d like to share to please do so at calling hours. Burial private. For tributes or tributes, please visit: www.wilbur-romano.com
