DAMON LANZA DIES

[Sam]

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but it is true that Damon Lanza
has passed away. He was 55. Apparently he had severe diabetes and
heart related problems. He died around 6:45 PM last night in a
hospital. I have no more information.

We will all mourn the loss of Mario's only surviving son. He was a
wonderful guy as anyone who has met him will say. Rest in peace dear
Damon.

[Derek McGovern]

I've only just caught up with this sad news after being offline for
some time with computer problems. Goodness. It's shocking to think
that three of Lanza's four children died so absurdly young: Marc (37),
Colleen (48), and now Damon at just 55. When you couple this with the
fact that Mario died at 38 and Betty at 37, it's hard not to think of
this poor family as being cursed.

Thank goodness Ellisa -- Mario and Betty's only surviving child --
seems to enjoy good health and a happy, loving family. It would be
nice to think that she and Damon were able to reconcile before his
passing.

[gary from N.S.]

Hello to all..Derek, you have indeed wrote exactly what I was thinking
about the Lanza siblings.
I have the same hope as you concerning Ellisa. I just learned of this
within the past 20 minutes,as well. Indeed a sad day.

[Armando]

I am very saddened by the news of Damon’s passing.

I knew Damon quite well, having met him on a number of occasions and
having spent a week at his home as his guest in 2002.

Damon was a good, decent person, but the Damon I saw in 2002 and again
in 2003 was a very different person from the one I had known
previously.

Something about him had changed. He was no longer his own person with
his own thoughts and ideas, but instead he had become a frightened,
lost soul.

We had subsequently fallen out due to his alleged objections to some
of the contents of my book on his father. Regardless, when I think of
that week spent with him in Los Angeles I remember him with
affection.

May he rest in peace.

[Vince Di Placido]

What sad news! A tragic family indeed.

[Muriel]

Yes, it is a very sad day for the Lanza family and the Lanza world.
Once again a child of Mario has been taken too early. I had known
about his diabetes and that was the reason he'd been having trouble
with his leg over the past year or so. I've been told he inherited
some of the Lanza family medical tendencies. Perhaps he also inherited
Mario's inclination to ignore his health?

I've always found Damon to be a gracious presence at all official
Lanza functions. Even though I was not on good terms with the people
at LL, he always smiled and said "hello" to me. I've lost count of the
number of times a person shoved a camera into my hands at a Ball or at
the Met Gala in NYC, and asked me to take a picture with Damon. I was
happy to do so. (Yes, I have a picture taken with me as well.)

In keeping with Armando's thought, I recall thinking that Damon didn't
seem himself at the last Lanza Ball. I thought it strange that he was
seated farther away from the middle of the dais: Bob Dolfi and Marlene
were seated closer to Elaine Malbin, the mistress of ceremonies, than
he was. At times, he seemed to be preoccupied as the others chatted
among themselves. I know this is hindsight, but I can still see
something wistful in my mind.

Now it is up to Ellisa to carry her father's banner. I wish her well
and only hope she was able to visit with Damon before he passed.

With sincere condolences to the whole family. I know this will be hard
on his cousin, Carole Shea.

Molto triste.....Muriel

[Lou]

Good night, sweet prince. And guardian angels sing you to your rest.

> > May he rest in peace.- Hide quoted text -
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> - Show quoted text -

[Maria Luísa]

I just read of the sad news. Unbelievable. How Terrible. May he rest
in peace with God.

[Stefan Huber]

I was away this weekend and couldn't believe this when I checked my
e-mails this morning. Really a tragic loss. It's incredible how Damon
championed for his father's legacy and keeping his memory alive. My
sympathy goes to Damon's family in this difficult situation.

Best regards,

Stefan

Maria Luísa schrieb:

[BobD]

Mike and I are devastated at the passing of Damon. I last saw him at
our 10th aniversary get-together in Rugby and he was his normal,
patient and wonderful self. He always had loads of time for everyone
and many a night we used to sit up late chatting until the early
hours. One of my favourite stories he told me was when Mario invited
Mel Blanc to a party for the children. Mel went through all his
cartoon voices - and drenched all the children in the front row with
his saliva !
Rest in peace Damon, we will miss you.
Bob & Mike