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Lifelong Sag Harbor resident Gladys Laspesa died September 4. She was 89.
Born on June 5, 1927, in the John Street home of her great-grandfather, Joseph Kelly, she was the daughter of Gladys (Swaub) and Arthur Browngardt. She graduated from Pierson High School in 1945. While at a dance at Lenny’s Noyac Casino, she met Tony Laspesa, who was on leave from the Army. He showed her his 24-hour military watch and that was the start of their life together.
The Laspesas enjoyed the post-World War II life, raising five children. After her husband died in 1978, Mrs. Laspesa worked at Baron’s Cove as a chambermaid and then many years as a waitress. Later she worked as a police dispatcher for then Sag Harbor Police Chief John Harrington.
Mrs. Laspesa was a member of the Sag Harbor American Legion Auxiliary, where she was known as the “poppy lady” because she set up her table on Main Street to sell the Legion’s signature poppies for many years.
Fond of competition, she played cards and Scrabble, and she enjoyed quilting, sewing and crocheting. Survivors said she was fiesty and spoke her mind.
Mrs. Laspesa is survived by her children, Arthur James, Toni Jean, Donald Peter, Wendy and Richard; grandchildren, Tara Jean, Seth, Devon, Jason, Kallie and Jessa; and great-grandchildren, Lila and Ava; a sister, Betty Kraszewski; and two brothers, Richard and Robert Browngardt.
A funeral took place on September 9 at St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Sag Harbor American Legion Auxiliary, Box 5426, Sag Harbor NY 11963, or East End Hospice, Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.
on Sep 13, 2016