Lawrence (Larry) P. Coassin, 54, of Hamden, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8th, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of 31 years to Emily Castiglione Coassin, proud father to Polly Coassin Franzen and her husband Jason, and Lawrence (Rence) P. Coassin Jr., beloved grandfather to Addison Franzen, and master to dog, Shiloh. Larry was born in New Haven on August 24th, 1958. He was the son of John and Joanne (Zichichi) Coassin of Hamden; was a graduate of Hamden High School (’76), Babson College (‘80), and the University of Miami Law School (’83). He was a member of the American, Connecticut, and New York Bar Associations, and the banking and business law associations. He was a senior partner at Robinson and Cole LLP, where he practiced since September of 1983 as a corporate attorney. As a lawyer, Larry was very gifted and experienced, having a unique ability to retain clients and guide them through some of the firm’s largest and most sophisticated dealings. Larry took pride in being a very dedicated friend and mentor to his fellow team members at Robinson and Cole. Larry was supported by his dedicated assistant, Lynn Dombrauskas, for close to twenty years. As an astute business investor, Larry personally acquired as investments, several businesses in a variety of industries. Brother of John Coassin Jr. and Linda Woodward, Susan Coassin, Donna and Michael Pugliese (Michael and Keri, Peter, Andrew), Michael Coassin (Maxwell, Christian, Sophie, Skylar). Also survived by his devoted mother-in-law Pamela Schwab Castiglione and in-laws Joseph and Janice Castiglione (Duke and Kiki, Tom and Rachel, Katie and Mike), Carolyn and Tom Peterson (Tyler), Cherie Castiglione (Pam and Pete, Emily), Dr. Frank and Janis Castiglione (Frank, Andrew and Beth, Faith), Pam and Sam Potolicchio (Sam, Blake and Nikki, Michael, Caroline, Matthew), Dr. Charles and Connie Castilgione (Jeffrey, Erik, Michael, Rachel, Vanessa), Hope and Tom Gower (Victoria, Emily, Olivia); and by many loving and devoted business partners, friends, and dedicated caregivers. Predeceased by his father-in-law Dr. Frank Castiglione, Sr. Larry’s impact was widespread and deep. He made it his mission to advocate for and change the lives of those he cared about. He truly enjoyed their successes, while at the same time deflecting credit. Most importantly, he was extremely proud of his family and his children and grandchild.
Family and Friends are invited to go directly to St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on Friday at 10am to attend a mass of Christian burial, and are also invited to attend the committal services immediately following at Centerville Cemetery, Hamden. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 3-8pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Lawrence P. Coassin and Family Fund at Choate Rosemary Hall, 333 Christian St, Wallingford CT, 06492, The Development Office, Attn: Dan Courcey (203-697-2649)
A Truly remarkable individual who sped thru Life at 200 miles an hour
Kind Generous and Brilliant — Quite a combination
I was fortunate to be his brother
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We had some great times together in law school.
Our sincere condolences to Emily, Polly and Rence; Larry was such a wonderful friend I had the pleasure of flying him to his beloved Notre Dame games with his friends. He will be sorely missed by so many.
we’ve all been blessed to have had Larry touch our lives.
My wife had the pleasure of working with Larry for just short of 20 years they were a great team especially because he was a great guy. I had the pleasure of being a social friend of Larry’s and an occasional business friend I was very lucky to know him He was extremely bright, driven, caring and always there if you needed him. However it was his love of his family that always impressed me. Nothing and I mean nothing could come between them. He was a great father, friend, mentor and lawyer. I will miss him greatly but I was privileged to know him in my lifetime.
One of the greatest spirits that graced this earth who brought the gift of laughter and his passion for life to all who were fortunate to know him . Amazing family man and friend whose generosity to others was unsurpassed . Many lessons are taught without words spoken. Love you bro .
My most sincere condolences to the family and friends of a truly remarkable individual.
May Larry’s soul Rest in Peace,
Emily,Rence,Polly We who knew Larry were so lucky he touched so many of us in many ways He was truly one who went to the beat of his own drum, his mind constantly working Words cannot say enough God Bless
Since his early childhood we knew Larry was someone extraordinarily special. The most positive, energized, giving man who lived life-to-the fullest every day! I will miss his laughter and kindness forever.
Love, Your Sister Donna.
Larry turned a great working relationship into a real friendship, because of who he was. We will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
What a loss as Larry became one of my best friends and was a great person. He helped me when I was sick and always wanted the best for everybody. He will be missed by all.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to the family. Although my time knowing Larry was too short he always treated me kindly and with honor and he was an inspiration to me.
you will forever be in our lives LPC…you are and always will be the brightest star in our sky….thank you for all the memories….lots and lots of love…..xoxoxoxooxoxo
A remarkable person, a remarkable life. With all of his accomplishments, nothing meant more to him, than his dear family. We are all better people for having Larry in our lives. He was a role model extraordinaire and his generous heart had no limits. His extraordinary legacy will remain in our minds and our thoughts forever.
My sincerest condolences to the family. He was always a pleasure to work with
I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing Larry, a generous, kind father and husband. Larry you will be missed.
My heart breaks for this family.
He is with God now….
My sincerest condolences. Larry was one of the nicest people I’ve met.
We have learned with deep sadness the sad news.
Unfortunately there have not been many opportunities to hang out a few times but those were enough to understand what special person was Larry. Humble, generous, avaible. We are close to all our hearts.
Stefano, Milla, Luigi, Federica
My condolences to Emily, Polly, and Rence, and the rest of the Coassin family. Thinking of you all.
To Polly and her family, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
May God hold your hands during this difficult time, Angels wipe your tears & Larry be the sun that warms your face. My deepest sympathies to all of your family’s. He was an exquisite, proud, caring,loyal, trustworthy man.
He will forever be the handprint on your hearts! Sending love to all.
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I’ve known Larry for over 25 years and I don’t know many people who were more successful in their business and personal life. Family to Larry was always number one but his law practice and business ventures were very important to him as well.Larry was a great friend to me and so many orhers.I will miss him greatly and send my deepest sympathy to Emily,Polly,Rence and the rest of the family.
I send my heartfelt condolences and love to all of you.
love and blessings, Louise
Kind, considerate, generous and funny. One of the finest men I have ever known.
Larry was a force of nature. He was known throughout the Choate community as a devoted parent to Rence and Polly, and, above all, an immensely generous man to the friends and companions of those children. I have a huge appreciation for being able to witness the good will and kindness of “Uncle Larry”, and know that he leaves a strong legacy behind him. His love, passion, and giving nature lives on strongly in all those who had the opportunity of coming in contact with him. I’m sending his entire family my support, and am comforted to know that he’s never too far from the people he loved most.
So sad to hear of Larry’s passing. Many prayers and condolences to all of his family and friends during this difficult time.
It is a true honor to have known such a man….Generous, kind, and caring. He lived his life with such intensity and passion…it was contagious. I smile when I think of how hard it was to keep up with him…always in motion!!!!! The consummate husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be truly missed.
Emily, Rence, Polly, and Family,
Our hearts are saddened to hear of your tremendous loss. We pray for strength, comfort, and loving support as you grieve. Larry truly epitomized friend in every manner and pure love for his family!!! He will be deeply missed…..and within our hearts always.
One of a kind.
Larger than life.
A force of nature.
Generous.
Brilliant.
Loyal.
Mentor.
Non-stop.
Fun.
The Chairman.
The Kid.
Irrepressible.
Irreplaceable.
LPC.
You touched so many lives, and each is the better for it. We will miss you mightily.
May you and your family be blessed by the peace that passes all understanding.
~ FDD
I came to know Larry in the M&A Deal Wars, in the trenches working the issues large and small. Of keen mind, learned and wise, while seeking the best result for his clients, Larry recognized that fairness and reasonable compromise must prevail and artfully guided both sides to this high ground. Generous, kind, carefully reflective, edgy sense of humor, high energy, mind in constant motion, loved the good joke, shared pictures and stories of the kids and always asked how yours were by name, all of this I will miss so. I am proud that I was his friend. ‘Only when it is dark can we finally see all the stars.’
Larry – my beloved brother who touched so many lives; family, friends, business associates, community and those whom needed a helping hand. Your wit, intellect and passion for everything you were involved in, made this world a better place. I will miss you dearly and will hold you in my heart until we meet again. Rest in eternal peace.
All my love,
Sister Susan
You will be missed by so many, little cousin; always had fun talking hockey with you.
My sincerest condolences to the family. He was truly one remarkable man!
Are thoughts and prayers are with you all. Larry will be missed by everyone. Love always, Dean and Kathy
We are deeply sorry for your loss . Larry was a great friend to our family.
Larry had a great impact on the culture and practice at Robinson & Cole. He will be missed throughout our firm.
My condolences to you Emily and your children. Larry was a very special person. Sincerely
My deepest sympathies go out to Larry’s family and friends. Larry was a true gentleman, a trustworthy friend and colleague and one of my mentors. I will miss him greatly – he left a lasting mark and an example of real honesty and empathy that few can match. I will always remember him.
Fair Winds Larry, my condolences to the whole family. He was a great force at R&C will be missed.
We have lost a truly great man, who loved his family and his friends with such passion and commitment. It was hard not be inspired by his devotion to his interests, his generosity, his sheer intellect and his business acumen. Our family is truly saddened by his passing, and our sympathies are with Emily, Rence, Polly and his wonderful family.
What a pleasure to have Larry as a loyal law partner for over twenty years! One of a kind.
My sincerest condolences. Larry will be sadly missed by the legal community.
Emily, Polly and Rence, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all through this very difficult time. Adrienne (Luce’s)
Our condolences to the family for your loss.
Many friends. Many memories. Our deepest sympathy.
I had the great honor and privilege of practicing law with Larry at R&C for 29 years. He was brilliant, dedicated and loved by his colleagues and clients. More than that, Larry was loyal, generous and filled with boundless energy and charisma. He wore his love for and pride in his family on his sleeve. A great person.
He was truly a giant. There are so few men who can combine family values and business acumen, and never lose sight of their spiritual purpose. Your loss is tremendous, yet you have been blessed with his inspiration to carry you through.
I have known Larry for many, many years. Back in the old Mt Carmel days and recently through business associations. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear John & Linda
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are prayers are with you. How strange life is.
My mom just passed away this past Tuesday. Her funeral is with North Haven Funeral Home as well. I know what you are going through. This is so hard and sad.
We are deeply saddened for Emily, Polly, Rence and all of the Coassin and Castiglione families….Larry and Emily have been my friends since ’84 and I will never forget how they embraced me at tough times in my life….
Larry was extraordinary, generous, quick, respectfully warm. Praise for so much good he did in his short life. Deep sympathy and strength to all those who love him. Peace, Diana D’Angelo, R&C Staff.