Name: Harry J Will Funeral Homes
Address: Livonia, MI

His name came to me the other day when I was thinking about my childhood growing up in Detroit.  I had a dentist as a small child who was a Dr. Lassaline.  If this dentist practiced in Livonia for 39 years it could not have been him but perhaps his father.  But I don't remember him as being an older man which she would have been.  Regardless he was a good dentist and compassionate.  They do things differently today but he practiced according to the protocol of the times in the late 50s and early 60s.  His office was in Southwest Detroit over the Detroit Bank & Trust on Vernor and Junction.  I remember walking up a long flight of stairs to see him with my mother.  I don't know what made me think of him but I wanted to see if there was any mention of him on the internet.  He was a good guy.  Despite the fact that he was a dentist he would always give us some dum-dums (suckers) before we left!

Dr. Lassaline was a big part of our lives from Helen working for him for 14 years and my years in the Photo Guild of Detroit taking great photos led by Doc Lassaline.  We had a lot of fun. He will be missed.  Love to Johanne and the family.  Bill and Helen Chenevert

Bill always had a smile and a kind word for us whenever we spoke.  Our neighborhood has lost a wonderful man and Heaven has gained a kind soul.  Our condolences to Johanne and family. It was very evident to us how deeply he was loved.  Bill will be greatly missed by all of us.

Dr. Lassaline; Always friendly, a great smile followed by stories about his family and kids, boats and water, his wonderful staff, photography, and timeless stories about interesting topics. What a great dentist and a delight to be with while the drill was whirling in perfection. Never forgotten and always missed Peace from Diane from Junction and Terry Jolly from Novi

Family and friends of the good doctor, please know that our family will be greatly missed.  Since the mid 1970's he was our dentist.  He was the first dentist our children ever went to and continued through all the years under our roof.  Our daughter Melissa (Gilbert) and her family continued seeing him as an adult.  We would talk about numerous things especially when my mouth was growing numb.  The stories of Lake St.Clair, the beautiful pictures in his office he took the stories of children and grandchildren and so much more made our visits so pleasant. It will be impossible to drive up Farmington Road and past his office without thinking of him.  Please accept our sincerest condolences, we are missing him already.

                                                                                  Ron and Gail Reinhart 
                                                                                   Livonia, Mi.

Dr. William Lassaline was my father.  Working for my Dad was my first real long term job. Dad taught me to be kind, respectful, and professional to all of his patients.  He showed me how to smile at life's "coincidences" and to be positive when life seemed awkward.  With deep gratitude for my Father's example, I have learned to allow my creative expression to flow out into the community and the world, just as his did. Eternal gratitude from your loving daughter, Patty

My heart goes out to the family. I will miss Bill's smile, soft voice, music and sitting on the driveway telling stories. 

Carol LeBlanc

So sad to hear the news of Dr. Lassaline's passing.  I'm certain all in heaven are celebrating his arrival and enjoying his company!  The doctor had quite a positive influence on me, in so many ways.  Always finding a way to make me smile; always making me feel at home.  Always sharing some good advice in ways that made me laugh.  I'll never forget the bottle of Courvoisier on my 21st.  Mom is at a loss for words; he has been her dentist for over 30 years.  She literally owes her smile to him.  Our sincere condolences to the entire family, for your loss.  The doctor will remain alive in our thoughts and in our hearts.  He will be missed by so very many.

My deepest sympathy to Dr. Lassaline's family and friends.  He had been my dentist since I was 3.  I had been his patient for over 30 years.  He had also seen my husband and children as well as my mom and dad. I am so sad.  He was so kind and personable.  He made going to the dentist fun and not scary.   I will miss him very much.

Dearest Johanne and Family, I was so sad to hear of Dr. Lassaline's passing.  He gave me my first job as a Dental Assistant in 1966, working along side Dr. Karl Rundquist.  I have fond memories of the dedication he shared with his patients and staff.  His photographic talents, and of course, his Banjo playing was an added benefit working for him. 
I remember the camera pod set up in the window facing the drinking fountain at the corner of Junction and Vernor, he loved taking photos of children, adults and even dogs drinking from the fountain.   
May your memories be with you forever, you have my deepest sympathy.
Susan ( Lesko ) Klee,  Temecula, California

I was 12 years old when I met Dr. Lassaline.  I had never been to a dentist before, I was terrified and it didn't help that you had to climb 22 stairs to get to the office! By the time I reached the top, my imagination had taken over and I was hysterical.  He came out of the office with a guitar and played one song after another until I was sitting in the chair. He was so patient and kind, he won my heart.  He was my dentist for 50 years and no one could replace him-he was truly priceless.

You will be missed and always remembered by the Wozniak family.  

Greg, Barb, Glenn & Alex

My deepest condolences to Dr. Lassalines entire family. Dr. was my first demtist back in Detroit some 50 years ago. My last visit to him he was semi-retired a few years ago. My entire family inluding my mom, saw Dr. for our dentistry. He was a wnderful, kind and gentle man. Much love to his wife and children on behalf of the Studt Family.

Bill's passing came as quite a shock. I guess we always expect old time friends to always be there.Our prayers and sympathies go out to Johanne and the family. Although our paths have crossed rarely  recently,I shall always remember the wonderful years spent with Bill while we were in Dental school together. The wonderful visits with his Dentist Father and siblings during late night study sessions on Fairfield Ave,the long daily carpool rides to downtown Detroit to U. OF D. Dental school,Bills great personality musical talent and good advice for a friend are all remembered fondly.He was a wonderful ,talented Dentist and a loyal pal. Fran and I will miss him and keep him in our prayers.

Prayers to Aunt Johanne and cousins. i'll miss talking about cameras at our next reunion. Uncle Bill always had a great eye for photography. I imagine we're asked three times a year when signing our name at a restaurant or wherever if we know a Dr. William Lassaline. :) Makes us smile that he was so well known and liked.

Bill Lassaline, one of the kindest and most interesting people I've ever known.

A good friend to my Father and to myself as well.  Thoughts and prayers are with Bill and family.

Doctor has been my dentist for the past twenty years. When I subtracted ten years from my age on my medical form, he caught me. My sister and his daughter Mary went to Ladywood together, so he knew my real age. Doctor was wonderful to talk to and I will miss visiting with him. Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Mary and family, so sorry to hear of his passing. Keeping you close in prayer~
Tish Copeland

I will miss his caring, interesting conversations.  He was always a joy to be around and so down to earth.  He was a special person whom I will always remember.  Thank you, Dr. Lassaline, for all you meant to me and my family.

Uncle Bill was one of the best people I've known.  He was smart, kind, fun...he looked for and brought out the best in others...

It was an honor to have known Doc through our Flotilla.  He was a special person and we have all suffered a great loss in his passing.  May God's perfect peace be with the family now and in the days ahead.  

Tony, Carolynn and Chris Mallia

Doc was a great mentor and personable colleague. I will miss him. Knowing him was a blessing. Gods' peace.
Chuck M

The brother of my close friend, Tom Lassaline, my Dentist, a fellow boater and a friend.   Many happy evenings shooting pool at Tom's house.  Boating on Lake St. Clair.  Always a smile.  Going to the Dentist was fun when Bill was my Dentist.

I started going to Dr. Lassaline's office when it was in southwest Detroit, Vernor and Junction.  I was attending Holy Redeemer High school.  That was probably 1966.  And I continued to the Livonia office when that opened in the early 1970s and still go there, gradually seeing only Dr. Reid.  Dr. Lassaline was a caring and wonderfully competent dentist.  But we also talked about music and boating and photography. His range of interests was amazing. I will miss seeing the family photos on the office walls.  May God send you comfort in this time of grief.

Dr Lassaline will be missed. He was a great man and mentor. I will miss our lunches at Macaroni Grill and pizza from Italian Bakery. I won't forget that smile and handshake. He impacted my life and others for the better. And I will cherish the times spent fishing with him on his boat.

OBITUARY

Dr. William Lassaline

October 5, 1931 – June 19, 2013

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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