Bartolo Rhadames Lassis

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Bartolo Rhadames Lassis. After nearly a decades long battle with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, Rhadames passed on May 11th, 2022. Rhadames was born January 5th, 1940, in Barahona, Dominican Republic. He was a husband for close to 60 years, a father of three, and grandfather of ten. He is survived by his wife Maria, his children Rhadames and Vilma, his ten grandchildren, and his dog Pinky. While we mourn the passing of such a joyous person, we can rejoice in many of the memories he has left us with. Rhadames and Maria’s love story began in grade school in Dominican Republic and was continued through a move and many years in New York, followed by a final move to Lehigh Acres, Florida. Their love withstood the test of time and life’s hardships. Through their love, they had their three children, Vilma, Lorna, and Rhadames. Rhadames’ love for life, exuberant personality, and humor was passed down through his family and can be seen in the personalities of all that he loved. His laughs will echo in the hearts of all that were lucky enough to experience them. While in New York, Rhadames worked his way up the ladder, leading him to reach the role of general manager of McDonalds, which he worked as until he retired. Through Rhadames and Maria’s example of hard work and perseverance, they set their three children up for success and opened the door to opportunities to pursue their own careers and dreams; Vilma working in the NYC Department of education, Lorna worked as a pharmacist, and Rhadames following in his father’s footsteps, working as the general manager of a hotel. That persevering and hardworking example set by Maria and Rhadames followed the familial lives of their children, leading to their ten grandchildren finding success in their educations, being a group of college graduates, now working in healthcare, hospitality, the arts, aerospace, and more. There were many hobbies and loves Rhadames had which people can remember him by. When Rhadames was younger, he was the lead singer of a band in Dominican Republic called The Juveniles. That love for music never wavered; Rhadames could be found on any day listening to bachata from his chair outside or yelling “Cortana play Bachata”, Cortana being a google home device he chose to rename. His whole life, having grown up in Barahona in a beach environment, he found joy in fishing. Whether it be deep sea or off the deck in someone’s backyard, a chance to find peace fishing was not missed. One could not look back on the memories of Rhadames’ life without seeing the influence of baseball. His allegiances stood with the New York Mets; through all the teams’ ups and downs, Rhadames was ready with either of his two famous phrases when watching: “Mets WIN!” or a disappointed “Mets suck”. His love for the sport was also shown in his teaching the game to his son and his support of his grandchildren’s softball and baseball games, where he frequently attended and endlessly fought with the umpires, even getting kicked out of some games, such passion. Of all the loves in Rhadames’ life, there was none he loved more than his family. He made sure to check in on everyone, always; whether it be calls after finding out you were sick, calls to tell you that a hurricane or snowstorm was on the way or his classic 5-minute check in calls, he made sure to look out for the people he loved. Rhadames valued the relationships and memories he had created throughout life. In his final years, he found great joy in his interactions over Facebook and phone calls with the people in his life. He fought for many years, staying strong for the people he loved. He was able to pass with peace and love in his heart, leaving behind blissful memories for all to keep.

Bartolo Rhadames Lassis

January 5, 1940 - May 11, 2022