Comments on: RIP Phil Lasorda http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:49:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= hourly 1 By: Terrence Jenkins http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-90909 Terrence Jenkins Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:19:30 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-90909 WOW! I will just run this through. I met Gerry and Phil at my first Comicon in 79 I believe. They were really an interesting lot indeed and appreciated their taking time to discuss their process in this field. I eventually got to be a "Groupie" of sorts and hung out at their studio often and pretty much got to know the core players in Comico not excluding Matt and Reggie. Eventually I lost contact and in the summer of 2004 coming from a teacher class via SEPTA to Norristown, this guy stared at me and said Terry? I was like YOO! Surprised he remembered. But long story concluding, REALLY REALLY humble soul. What Gerry said sums Phil in a nutshell. Deepest condolences to the family. RIP Hermano. Amor & Paz Siempre. WOW! I will just run this through. I met Gerry and Phil at my first Comicon in 79 I believe. They were really an interesting lot indeed and appreciated their taking time to discuss their process in this field. I eventually got to be a “Groupie” of sorts and hung out at their studio often and pretty much got to know the core players in Comico not excluding Matt and Reggie.

Eventually I lost contact and in the summer of 2004 coming from a teacher class via SEPTA to Norristown, this guy stared at me and said Terry? I was like YOO! Surprised he remembered. But long story concluding, REALLY REALLY humble soul. What Gerry said sums Phil in a nutshell. Deepest condolences to the family. RIP Hermano. Amor & Paz Siempre.

]]> By: Vincent Scott http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42531 Vincent Scott Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:19:16 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42531 My heart goes out Dennis, Terry, and Joe their wives and children, Mr. Lasorda was a good man how many men would ride a train with four adolescent boys from Phila to NY for a comic book show. I can never forget how open and friendly both he and Mrs. Lasorda where to me and my family they will be greatly missed I apologize for missing the chance to pay my last respect's My heart goes out Dennis, Terry, and Joe their wives and children, Mr. Lasorda was a good man how many men would ride a train with four adolescent boys from Phila to NY for a comic book show. I can never forget how open and friendly both he and Mrs. Lasorda where to me and my family they will be greatly missed

I apologize for missing the chance to pay my last respect’s

]]> By: Samantha Schmoll http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42530 Samantha Schmoll Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:39:13 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42530 A bit of news..Phil is not alone - his father, Jim LaSorda, passed away last Friday. So Phil is now with both his parents......but still missed every day. A bit of news..Phil is not alone – his father, Jim LaSorda, passed away last Friday. So Phil is now with both his parents……but still missed every day.

]]> By: Anaely Acevedo http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42529 Anaely Acevedo Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:50:21 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42529 Hello webmaster. I think you could also make more of it through a bigger exposure about \"RIP Phil Lasorda\". Perhaps you can have some candy distributors. Hello webmaster. I think you could also make more of it through a bigger exposure about \”RIP Phil Lasorda\”. Perhaps you can have some candy distributors.

]]> By: Michael Wm Kaluta http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42528 Michael Wm Kaluta Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:06:01 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42528 Damn! I knew I was out of "the loop", but just today found out there'll be no more "Kaluta!" and big smile from a face that I never thought to never see again. Well, I'm floored. Thanks to Renee Witterstaetter posting a fine photo of Phil, Dave Stevens and Doug Wildey on her Facebook page, and Keith Wilson hyperlinking Heidi's page here, I'm able to send a belated, but none-the-less heartfelt *Salute* to Phil, knowing he's alive in my memories, sharing that realm with all of us. Michael Damn! I knew I was out of “the loop”, but just today found out there’ll be no more “Kaluta!” and big smile from a face that I never thought to never see again. Well, I’m floored. Thanks to Renee Witterstaetter posting a fine photo of Phil, Dave Stevens and Doug Wildey on her Facebook page, and Keith Wilson hyperlinking Heidi’s page here, I’m able to send a belated, but none-the-less heartfelt *Salute* to Phil, knowing he’s alive in my memories, sharing that realm with all of us.

Michael

]]> By: Arthur Douglass http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42527 Arthur Douglass Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:41:17 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42527 Phil will be missed. I remember playing football with Phil at Kutztown. He was always pleasant and had a good sense of humor. Phil persuaded me to do more squats while weight lifting in Keystone hall. Please accept my sincere condolences to his family. Art Douglass Phil will be missed. I remember playing football with Phil at Kutztown. He was always pleasant and had a good sense of humor. Phil persuaded me to do more squats while weight lifting in Keystone hall. Please accept my sincere condolences to his family.

Art Douglass

]]> By: Mike S. Michael http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42526 Mike S. Michael Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:31:59 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42526 This was the scariest thing. I just discovered Phil's passing by a wierd accident of fate. I was Phil's first college roommate at what was then Kutztown State College. I just received a request for money from them in the mail and it started me thinking about those days. So I Googled his name along with Comico, the last thing I really knew about him. This is such sad news. Phil was an energetic, positive, and generally happy person in those days. He helped -- actually pushed -- me into weight lifting properly. He was big into power-lifting then. He tended to move in more popular circles, but always found a way of including me. He took me to see his brother perform magic. I still have a great photo of him dressed as Rocky and me as a very skinny Superman from Halloween in our first year (1978). He was very much into comic art at that time and produced a couple of drafts for the pleasure of our dormitory wing. One was the beginning of a comic based on our motley group that even included me as the nerdy hero. He also drew for me a composition with several of his ideas for comics he wanted to eventually produce. It included what is possibly one of the earliest depictions of AZ which, judging from the above postings, became a well-known product of his. I'm glad that I still have these drawings to remember him by. I was able to catch up with Phil only once after graduation, sometime in the early 80's, and I remember him mentioning his start-up company, Comico. I remember seeing a couple of their titles on stands after I moved to Baltimore later that decade. I was so glad that he was able to make his love his career. I regret that I never looked him up again to touch base. The coincidence of looking him up online only to find this tragic news is staggering. Phil was a force of personality, a genuinely good person, and I will always consider him a friend. I didn't catch the cause of death, but he clearly left us all too soon. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. Rest in Peace, Mike S. Michael This was the scariest thing. I just discovered Phil’s passing by a wierd accident of fate. I was Phil’s first college roommate at what was then Kutztown State College. I just received a request for money from them in the mail and it started me thinking about those days. So I Googled his name along with Comico, the last thing I really knew about him. This is such sad news. Phil was an energetic, positive, and generally happy person in those days. He helped — actually pushed — me into weight lifting properly. He was big into power-lifting then. He tended to move in more popular circles, but always found a way of including me. He took me to see his brother perform magic. I still have a great photo of him dressed as Rocky and me as a very skinny Superman from Halloween in our first year (1978). He was very much into comic art at that time and produced a couple of drafts for the pleasure of our dormitory wing. One was the beginning of a comic based on our motley group that even included me as the nerdy hero. He also drew for me a composition with several of his ideas for comics he wanted to eventually produce. It included what is possibly one of the earliest depictions of AZ which, judging from the above postings, became a well-known product of his. I’m glad that I still have these drawings to remember him by.

I was able to catch up with Phil only once after graduation, sometime in the early 80’s, and I remember him mentioning his start-up company, Comico. I remember seeing a couple of their titles on stands after I moved to Baltimore later that decade. I was so glad that he was able to make his love his career. I regret that I never looked him up again to touch base. The coincidence of looking him up online only to find this tragic news is staggering. Phil was a force of personality, a genuinely good person, and I will always consider him a friend. I didn’t catch the cause of death, but he clearly left us all too soon. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Rest in Peace,

Mike S. Michael

]]> By: Lonnie Yates http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42525 Lonnie Yates Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:51:16 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42525 I am sorry that I have just found out that one of my Oak street big brothers has passed. I will never forget being introduced to playing hockey, and golf in the alley at oak street. I just want the Lasorda family to realize how much there family meant to us. They transcended across racial boundaries without even thinking about it, and also allowed every family of color on Oak street to get a different perspective of race during a time of racial uncertainty. I don't even think they knew they helped our perceptions as we've moved along in our lives. As I sit here enrolling my kids into catholic school today thinking of the times we spent working at the church with (Mr. Votto), and having fun having verbal challenges about wolverine being stronger than spiderman. From our family to yours, he will be missed but never forgotten. We hope that these words of reflection put a smile on the faces of those who we consider family. I am sorry that I have just found out that one of my Oak street big brothers has passed. I will never forget being introduced to playing hockey, and golf in the alley at oak street. I just want the Lasorda family to realize how much there family meant to us. They transcended across racial boundaries without even thinking about it, and also allowed every family of color on Oak street to get a different perspective of race during a time of racial uncertainty. I don’t even think they knew they helped our perceptions as we’ve moved along in our lives. As I sit here enrolling my kids into catholic school today thinking of the times we spent working at the church with (Mr. Votto), and having fun having verbal challenges about wolverine being stronger than spiderman. From our family to yours, he will be missed but never forgotten.

We hope that these words of reflection put a smile on the faces of those who we consider family.

]]> By: Vincent Scott http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42524 Vincent Scott Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:05:30 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42524 I found out only today of Phil's passing, what can be said when a childhood friend is lost the Lasorda family especially Phillip and Joe were two of the first friends I had I am sorry that time seperated us but I will remember days of playing in the backyard, long summers in the creek, poodles, huskies, water rockets, candy from the corner store, the first marvel comic convention, and of course comic books themselves. Our childhood was magical but we have lost the one person who was talented enough to put it on the page for all of us to relive again Thinking of you often(Oak Street Lives) I found out only today of Phil’s passing, what can be said when a childhood friend is lost the Lasorda family especially Phillip and Joe were two of the first friends I had I am sorry that time seperated us but I will remember days of playing in the backyard, long summers in the creek, poodles, huskies, water rockets, candy from the corner store, the first marvel comic convention, and of course comic books themselves. Our childhood was magical but we have lost the one person who was talented enough to put it on the page for all of us to relive again

Thinking of you often(Oak Street Lives)

]]> By: SHARON La Sorda http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42522 SHARON La Sorda Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:57:24 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42522 Well, There is so much to say and yet it is so hard..... First, Thank you to the Comico Family who have blog their sentiments and/ who came to visit Norristown. Your being their gave Dennis and his family such support, you will never know the depths of our appreciation. We do know the depths of your Love for Phillip and we will all be the richer for his existence!! I'm not what you call a tech-e, but I find myself checking the blog two, three times a day. I know I do it for the connection to Phillip, know one ever wants to let go and I wanted to write one more time. The last two days especially have been so weird, its almost refreshing to get back to my normal schedule. But I find myself ,as all of us do, I'm sure, Thinking of Phillip! Sam if you read this, I want you to know my mind instantly travels to thoughts of you- words can't say enough. Know that you are thought of and Loved and we are here for you! To everyone, family, friends who have lost our beloved Phillip, who feels the pain of his lost, who have blogged or not because you couldn't find the right words, know that you are not alone in your loss and we must gather strength somehow, weather you are looking out onto the sea he loved so much or reading that great new or old comic book for the 100th time, do just that and you will be close to Phillip. This is so hard to end for it is one more door closing. I hope somehow, sometime are lives cross again. For we are all connected for life because Phil brought us together: Love life, take long deep breaths, read lots of Phillips comic books and when you look out on a body of water, think of Phil and what fish might lie underneath the surface. I will also remember all of you!! Love, Sharon Well, There is so much to say and yet it is so hard….. First, Thank you to the Comico Family who have blog their sentiments and/ who came to visit Norristown. Your being their gave Dennis and his family such support, you will never know the depths of our appreciation. We do know the depths of your Love for Phillip and we will all be the richer for his existence!! I’m not what you call a tech-e, but I find myself checking the blog two, three times a day. I know I do it for the connection to Phillip, know one ever wants to let go and I wanted to write one more time. The last two days especially have been so weird, its almost refreshing to get back to my normal schedule. But I find myself ,as all of us do, I’m sure, Thinking of Phillip! Sam if you read this, I want you to know my mind instantly travels to thoughts of you- words can’t say enough. Know that you are thought of and Loved and we are here for you! To everyone, family, friends who have lost our beloved Phillip, who feels the pain of his lost, who have blogged or not because you couldn’t find the right words, know that you are not alone in your loss and we must gather strength somehow, weather you are looking out onto the sea he loved so much or reading that great new or old comic book for the 100th time, do just that and you will be close to Phillip. This is so hard to end for it is one more door closing. I hope somehow, sometime are lives cross again. For we are all connected for life because Phil brought us together: Love life, take long deep breaths, read lots of Phillips comic books and when you look out on a body of water, think of Phil and what fish might lie underneath the surface. I will also remember all of you!!

Love, Sharon

]]> By: SHARON La Sorda http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42523 SHARON La Sorda Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:57:21 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42523 Well, There is so much to say and yet it is so hard..... First, Thank you to the Comico Family who have blog their sentiments and/ who came to visit Norristown. Your being their gave Dennis and his family such support, you will never know the depths of our appreciation. We do know the depths of your Love for Phillip and we will all be the richer for his existence!! I'm not what you call a tech-e, but I find myself checking the blog two, three times a day. I know I do it for the connection to Phillip, know one ever wants to let go and I wanted to write one more time. The last two days especially have been so weird, its almost refreshing to get back to my normal schedule. But I find myself ,as all of us do, I'm sure, Thinking of Phillip! Sam if you read this, I want you to know my mind instantly travels to thoughts of you- words can't say enough. Know that you are thought of and Loved and we are here for you! To everyone, family, friends who have lost our beloved Phillip, who feels the pain of his lost, who have blogged or not because you couldn't find the right words, know that you are not alone in your loss and we must gather strength somehow, weather you are looking out onto the sea he loved so much or reading that great new or old comic book for the 100th time, do just that and you will be close to Phillip. This is so hard to end for it is one more door closing. I hope somehow, sometime are lives cross again. For we are all connected for life because Phil brought us together: Love life, take long deep breaths, read lots of Phillips comic books and when you look out on a body of water, think of Phil and what fish might lie underneath the surface. I will also remember all of you!! Love, Sharon Well, There is so much to say and yet it is so hard….. First, Thank you to the Comico Family who have blog their sentiments and/ who came to visit Norristown. Your being their gave Dennis and his family such support, you will never know the depths of our appreciation. We do know the depths of your Love for Phillip and we will all be the richer for his existence!! I’m not what you call a tech-e, but I find myself checking the blog two, three times a day. I know I do it for the connection to Phillip, know one ever wants to let go and I wanted to write one more time. The last two days especially have been so weird, its almost refreshing to get back to my normal schedule. But I find myself ,as all of us do, I’m sure, Thinking of Phillip! Sam if you read this, I want you to know my mind instantly travels to thoughts of you- words can’t say enough. Know that you are thought of and Loved and we are here for you! To everyone, family, friends who have lost our beloved Phillip, who feels the pain of his lost, who have blogged or not because you couldn’t find the right words, know that you are not alone in your loss and we must gather strength somehow, weather you are looking out onto the sea he loved so much or reading that great new or old comic book for the 100th time, do just that and you will be close to Phillip. This is so hard to end for it is one more door closing. I hope somehow, sometime are lives cross again. For we are all connected for life because Phil brought us together: Love life, take long deep breaths, read lots of Phillips comic books and when you look out on a body of water, think of Phil and what fish might lie underneath the surface. I will also remember all of you!!

Love, Sharon

]]> By: Jim Lohr http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42521 Jim Lohr Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:34:44 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42521 It's nice to read so many kind words from so many friends about how Phil touched so many lives - I too will miss him tremendously! I met Phil in 1978 at football camp at Kutztown. We became roommates in the fall of 1979 and were good friends for the last thirty (30) years. He was truly one of a kind - a great artist, extremely creative and uniquely fun to be around! Other than his loud snoring..., we had many great times together. We played football, fixed up our dorm room into a swinging bachelor pad, weight trained, power lifted, lived at "the cliffs", partied at "the cliffs", partied at the Jersey shore, were each others "best men" at our weddings, not to mention numerous family activities and 100's of fishing trips! I will always remember "Fishy" Phil as a truly fun-loving unique individual, who was a friend to many people, and a BEST FRIEND to me. Until we meet up again at the perfect fishin' hole in paradise... I'll miss you buddy! God Bless - God Speed. Jim It’s nice to read so many kind words from so many friends about how Phil touched so many lives – I too will miss him tremendously!

I met Phil in 1978 at football camp at Kutztown. We became roommates in the fall of 1979 and were good friends for the last thirty (30) years. He was truly one of a kind – a great artist, extremely creative and uniquely fun to be around! Other than his loud snoring…, we had many great times together. We played football, fixed up our dorm room into a swinging bachelor pad, weight trained, power lifted, lived at “the cliffs”, partied at “the cliffs”, partied at the Jersey shore, were each others “best men” at our weddings, not to mention numerous family activities and 100’s of fishing trips!

I will always remember “Fishy” Phil as a truly fun-loving unique individual, who was a friend to many people, and a BEST FRIEND to me.

Until we meet up again at the perfect fishin’ hole in paradise… I’ll miss you buddy!

God Bless – God Speed.
Jim

]]> By: Rick Taylor http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42520 Rick Taylor Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:33:30 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42520 I hear you Jeff. The last couple of days have been a combination of a time warp back to the 80's and flood of memories. Shelly Bond, Bob Schreck and I went to the viewing the family held last night and I can honestly say I was not prepared for the way I felt. Shelly and I took that stroll down memory lane, especially about what it was like those last few months before COMICO folded. By then it was Phil, Shelly and me holding the company together with spit and chewing gum. The one thing we kept coming back to was how much fun we had and how much laughter the three of us shared. I'll never have a job where I had that daily level of fun every day. After about three years of working with Phil I got to see his true character. This was a hard-working guy with real talent who contributed on many levels. He truly appreciated that we were the last geeks standing. It wasn't about three people watching a dream die. It was three people who loved what they were doing and we still had a little pixie dust left for one last act of magic. I have never experienced that level of team work and caring in my life and will most likely never see it again. I would certainly hope there was some level of that magic experienced in the lives touched by Phil LaSorda and that they've grown to appreciate how special a thing that was. I know I have. Save a place for me buddy. I hear you Jeff.

The last couple of days have been a combination of a time warp back to the 80’s and flood of memories.

Shelly Bond, Bob Schreck and I went to the viewing the family held last night and I can honestly say I was not prepared for the way I felt.

Shelly and I took that stroll down memory lane, especially about what it was like those last few months before COMICO folded.

By then it was Phil, Shelly and me holding the company together with spit and chewing gum.

The one thing we kept coming back to was how much fun we had and how much laughter the three of us shared. I’ll never have a job where I had that daily level of fun every day.

After about three years of working with Phil I got to see his true character.

This was a hard-working guy with real talent who contributed on many levels. He truly appreciated that we were the last geeks standing. It wasn’t about three people watching a dream die. It was three people who loved what they were doing and we still had a little pixie dust left for one last act of magic.

I have never experienced that level of team work and caring in my life and will most likely never see it again.

I would certainly hope there was some level of that magic experienced in the lives touched by Phil LaSorda and that they’ve grown to appreciate how special a thing that was.

I know I have.

Save a place for me buddy.

]]> By: Jeff Lang http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42519 Jeff Lang Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:13:33 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42519 I just heard about Phil and though I only worked with him for a short time -- a thrilling, frustrating, exciting 9 months in the late 80s -- I'm stunned by the memories that are swirling around in my head. He was a lovely, kind, decent man and I'm very sad to hear about his passing. My condolenses to his friends and family. I still live near Philadelphia and have reason to pass through Norristown every once in a while. Next time I do, I'll have to drive past the old office and see what other memories come to light. Hi to Di, Bob, Mike and Rick. Good to see you're all still out there. JL I just heard about Phil and though I only worked with him for a short time — a thrilling, frustrating, exciting 9 months in the late 80s — I’m stunned by the memories that are swirling around in my head. He was a lovely, kind, decent man and I’m very sad to hear about his passing. My condolenses to his friends and family. I still live near Philadelphia and have reason to pass through Norristown every once in a while. Next time I do, I’ll have to drive past the old office and see what other memories come to light.

Hi to Di, Bob, Mike and Rick. Good to see you’re all still out there.

JL

]]> By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » July 8, 2008: Baby steps, please http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42518 Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » July 8, 2008: Baby steps, please Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:00:53 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/07/03/rip-phil-lasorda/#comment-42518 [...] [Top Story] Heidi MacDonald reports — and Diana Schutz confirms in comments — the death last week of Phil La Sorda, one of the founders of pioneering Direct-Market publisher Comico. No other details are available. A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 10AM in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Details here. [...] [...] [Top Story] Heidi MacDonald reports — and Diana Schutz confirms in comments — the death last week of Phil La Sorda, one of the founders of pioneering Direct-Market publisher Comico. No other details are available. A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 10AM in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Details here. [...]

]]>