Lawrence Corkey Tasillo

Lawrence E. Tasillo

COUDERSPORT, Pa.---On February 20, 2022, Lawrence “Corky” Tasillo passed away at his home in Potter County, Pennsylvania at the age of 91, four and a half months after his wife Betty passed away at their home in October. 

During their 65 years of marriage, Corky and Betty built homes and businesses together in Coudersport. After retirement, they traveled the country in their RV for twenty years before settling into a small cabin they designed and built together on Denton Hill. They were inseparable, in life and in death. 

Corky was a lifelong resident of Potter County, the only son and youngest child of Lawrence and Phoebe (Scott) Tasillo. His fondest memories, which he recounted often and recalled in his last days, were of riding locomotives as a child with his father, who was the engineer for the Coudersport & Port Allegany (C&PA) Railroad. 

After graduating from Coudersport High School in 1949, Corky began to study at university before enlisting in the Air Force and serving as a radar operator during the Korean War. He returned from service to finish his bachelor’s and earn a master's degree at Alfred and Lock Haven universities. "Mr. T" then became a teacher, like his mother Phoebe, and taught English, Science and Driver Education at Coudersport High School (CHS). He coached junior high football, and with Betty’s help, also coached the CHS Rifle Team, taking the Falcons all the way to states several times to bring home winning medals. 

Corky often said he was a teacher by profession but a carpenter and mason by trade. His work can be seen at homes around Potter and McKean counties and also supports the statues outside of St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport. Like St. Francis of Assisi, Corky had a special fondness for animals throughout his life, spending countless hours communing with beloved pets and pampered wildlife wherever he went. 

Corky and Betty also owned Coudy Motors Sales & Service, which became Tassis Chassis speed shop, where son Larry built sought-after, high performance race cars and daughter Paula, son-in-law Arnie, and grandkids kept racing teams well-equipped with parts and essential services. 

Corky is survived by his son Larry, daughter Paula, son-in-law Arnie, grandchildren Melissa, Justin, Benn, Brett, and Angela, and great-grandchildren Alan and Louis. He is predeceased by his sisters Donna (Tasillo) Lehman and Theresa (Tasillo) Healy and is the beloved uncle of Bobby, Colleen, Barry, Brian, Bret, Wally (deceased) and Leslie. 

His family will hold a private memorial.

Corky’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Corky, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.