Jay Lasher

Jay Donald Lasher, M.D., F.A.C.S., LCDR USNR-R

Born March 23, 1929 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Passed away peacefully on January 2, 2022 in Rochester, NY.

Dr. Jay Donald ‘Don’ Lasher was a remarkable man who touched many lives and was loved by so many.

He attended Grove City College and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1 1/2 years. He then completed his M.D. at George Washington University School of Medicine, his internship at Temple University, and his surgical residency at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore. It was in Baltimore that he was introduced to his wife Mildred ‘Mimi’ Louise Evans by her sister Catherine.  They married shortly after and remained devoted to each other until Mimi’s passing in 2011.

Dr Lasher joined the Navy and proudly served in the medical corps on the U.S.S. Canberra (CAG-2) and retired as Lieutenant Commander.  It was during that time he served as surgeon to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He developed a lifelong friendship with the Commander of the Canberra, Charlie Mauro, and Dr. Lashers son Mark was baptized onboard the ship.

Following his career in the Navy he joined the practice of Surgical Associates of Erie, alongside his father Lemuel and beloved brother Robert. It is impossible to count the numbers of patients that were cared for over the years by the ‘Lasher boys’. 

Besides his surgical expertise, Dr. Lashers passion was dialysis.  He  received training under Dr. W.J Kolff at the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Stanley Shaldon at the Royal Free Hospital in London, England.  He was recognized as a national authority on renal dialysis and served on the Renal Disease Advisory Committee in Pennsylvania. He introduced the artificial kidney to Erie in the 1960s at both Hamot and St. Vincent Hospitals, and co-invented an automatic monitoring system for renal failure patients. 

He was the proud director of the Renal Failure and Dialysis Unit of Erie, as well as the dialysis units at both Hamot and St. Vincent Hospitals.

He was member to multiple professional medical organizations and also taught many resident physicians over the years. He served as a clinical professor for the Gannon University Physician Assistant Program.

Dr. Lasher was a lifelong member of Wayside Presbyterian Church in Erie until relocating to Rochester NY in 2010.  He always believed in giving back and was instrumental in starting the United Outreach Indigent Program, consisting of a network of churches to provide for local charities.

He was also a lifelong member of the Erie Yacht club resulting in many memories of sailing on Lake Erie and many friendships that came with those days. 

Preceded by his parents Dr. Lemuel and Jewel Lasher, beloved wife Mimi, brother Dr. Robert Lasher, sister Jean Jones, and granddaughter Elizabeth Lasher.

Survived by his daughter Jayne (Paul) Cooper who had the privilege of caring for him since they relocated to Rochester, and especially this past month.  Also survived by daughter Laura (Scott) Jenkins of Downingtown, PA, son Mark (Denise) Lasher of Brunswick ME, Grandchildren  Anne Lasher (Meddie Serwanga), James (Tanya Tsay) Lasher, Hannah (Jordan) Knarr, Peter Sandstrom and great grandchild Katherine Sophia Lasher.  He had the pleasure of meeting Katherine in July.

Dr. Lasher was loved by many other friends and relatives including Char (Larry) Knoll, Gus (George) Evans,  many special nieces and nephews and best friend Garrett Fuhrman who recently honored Dr. Lasher  by naming a room in the new ICU at UPMC Hamot in his honor.

Special gratitude to Cynthia Hardy, a nurse and caregiver who has become like family over the last 5 years and has provided so much joy to Dr. Lasher.

Burial will be private with a memorial service to be planned in the future due to the pandemic.

In Dr Lashers honor, please help someone less fortunate, continuing his lifelong mission of service and caring.

Arrangements are under the care of the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, 3801 W. 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com