Lazaros John Vostitsanos was born on September 1^st, 1939.  The only child of Tarpon Springs native, Catherine (Kavouklis) and John Demetrius Vostitsanos, an immigrant from the Greek island of Aegina.  After graduating from Tarpon Springs High School in 1957, Laz served for six years in the Florida National Guard.  In addition, Laz began a long career with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). A natural and well-respected leader, Laz quickly rose to many leadership roles to ultimately became a Project Manager during his over thirty years of service.  He was especially proud of his leadership role in the demolition of the  Sunshine Skyway Bridge when working with HDR.

While Laz was dedicated to his profession, he was even more dedicated and devoted to his late wife, Stephanie (Koundouriotis).   Laz and Stephanie were married for fifty-one years and had one daughter, Nancy Kay.  An avid outdoorsman, Laz loved to hunt, he and his wife often went on hunting trips to Wyoming, Montana, Alabama and Georgia.  Any game found on their trips was put to good use.  A phenomenal cook, recognized for his BBQ and smoked meats, Laz took pride in his famous baked beans, banana pudding and other tasty sides, all handmade from scratch.  Laz and his wife loved to entertain family and friends, their parties are remembered as legendary events on the river.   In addition, Laz loved to boat and fish in the Anclote River and the Gulf of Mexico.  His many hours on the water led to another one of Laz’s accomplishments, becoming the inventor of the patented Grassgrabber, a tool to help clear entangled seaweed from propellers.  Laz was also an experienced deep sea and saltwater fisherman.  In 1999, while fishing near Abaco in the Bahamas, Laz became the envy of fishermen all over the world after catching a world record Bonefish, weighing in at over seventeen pounds.      A proud Tarpon Springs resident, Laz loved his hometown and was well-known and beloved around the community.  He served as member of the church board of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral for fifteen years.  In addition, Laz was a longtime member of the AHEPA.

After his retirement, Laz and his wife traveled on more trips out West and Greece.  After his beloved wife Stephanie passed away in 2016, Laz spent time visiting his daughter and grandchildren as well as being a beloved fixture at his favorite establishments.  He could often be found meeting and talking with nearly every table at Rusty Bellies and Jimmy’s.  He made new friends of nearly everyone.  Whether someone was a life-long Floridian, a new local or just a visiting tourist, Laz had a great gift for engaging and making a person feel welcome and like a friend.  He had a very quick wit, made keen observations, and was a man known for his genuine warmth and humor.  He will be greatly missed for his deep love for his family, (especially his daughter and grandchildren), his kind, friendly nature, his cheerful greetings and love for his hometown.

Laz was preceded in death by his beloved wife Stephanie (Koundouriotis) and parents Catherine and John.

Laz is survived by his daughter, Nancy Kay Grady (James) of Windermere, Florida; grandchildren, Andrew and Nicolette as well as many cousins and extended family.