Byron Harvey Lasky passed away Sept. 20 surrounded by his children and close friends in Santa Monica.
Lasky was born March 22, 1928 in Detroit, Mich. as the first-born son of Russian immigrants Louis and Molly Lasky, and brother to his sister, Muriel.
Lasky graduated from the University of Michigan in 1949. He played first-string center on the university’s Wolverine football team and competed with the wresting team.
In 1953, Lasky graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and soon after began his law career.
While defending her in a horse accident case, Lasky met his future wife, Marlene Summers, in 1954. The pair soon married and started a family. The young family moved to Phoenix in 1961 and then to California two years later. They lived in Westwood before moving to Malibu in 1965 near Topanga Beach. In 1969, the growing family moved to a home on Malibu Road.
Lasky’s first job was on the legal team at Kaufman and Broad. He became president of Kaufman Broad West Coast during the 1960s and later became an independent builder and developer.
Other companies Lasky helmed include Harlan Lee/Byron Lasky Arlas Community Builders, the first developer of Westlake Village; Byron Lasky and Associates and Christiana Development Corp.
Lasky’s many business interests also included film distribution; music distribution and radio. Additionally, he owned 15 cable and independent TV stations, the LA Cobra arena football franchise and was the independent newspaper publisher of the Santa Monica Bay News.
Lasky loved to play tennis, bicycle, run, swim and sail. He sailed the world aboard his yacht Almathea during 1983 to 1986, making the Atlantic crossing four times, traveling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and inland waterways of America. An avid sports fan, he also loved to watch games surrounded by his family.
“[He was] always fascinated by the lives and stories of friends and family and an engaging conversationalist with an easy laugh, and a fiery passion for politics,” Lasky’s family wrote.
Lasky is survived by Matthew, Claudia, Dina, Vanessa; grandchildren Nicole, Seana, Hannah, Ella, Max, Leo, Jude, Kate, Matthea; great grandchildren Charlotte, Lily Grace and Noah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene, who passed away in 2009 after a long battle with cancer. After her death, Lasky found a second love, Bonnie Weiss, who remained at his side to the end.
A memorial will take place Oct. 20, at the home of Lasky’s daughter, Vanesa Alexander, in Point Dume.
In Lasky’s honor, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.