In Memory of Clarence LaSonde (June 15, 1928 – March 29, 2022)

Rev. Clarence “Pete” J. LaSonde died on March 29, 2022, at the age of 93.

Pete was born on June 15, 1928, in Worcester, MA to Louisa Denoyelle and Joseph Alexander LaSonde. His parents were non-practicing Catholics. In his teens, he joined a boy scout troop and, along with it, a young people’s group, and the Congregational church. Those groups had a major influence on his life. His relationship with the church at that time was more for social than religious reasons.

Pete received his associate degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Junior College, MA (1947), and worked in a photographic company for two years. In 1950, he married Beverly Joyce Norcross; and just after, in 1951 he was drafted into the US Army. Subsequently, Pete entered Officer’s Candidate School, and was assigned to the Signal Corps, as well as trained as an Army Aviator. Upon discharge from active duty in 1955, he enrolled at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (1958). After graduation, his professional career was centered at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and at the MITRE Corporation, a non-profit Federal Contract Research Centre, where he worked as a Systems Engineer for the U.S. Air Force. His thirty-year tenure there focused on the establishment of large systems like European and North American air defense; the United States air traffic control; and national defense command and control.

Pete began attending a Unitarian parish about the time his daughter began attending church school. His involvement with Unitarianism exposed him for the first time to liberal religious views. Over the years he was attracted to the intellectual life of the church. He had an emerging and longstanding interest in dealing with religious concerns but was not driven by it until his wife’s death. In the spring of 1987, when his wife of thirty-six years died, his life and his view of life, in general, were altered dramatically. After thirty years as a systems engineer, he decided to enter seminary in search of religious meaning and to grow while helping others to find their way as well. He entered Harvard Divinity School to train as a parish minister; there he discovered his calling to the ministry of pastoral counseling. In 1991, he received his Master of Divinity. His senior thesis is titled “Clergy Sexual Abuse”.

Rev. LaSonde was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry on June 16, 1991, by the First Church of Christ, Lancaster, MA where he carried out his first ministry (1990-1991). During his tenure at First Church, the religious education committee was regenerated and modifications to Sunday School operations were made to enhance the teaching. Thereafter, Rev. LaSonde worked as a Pastoral Counselor at the Boston Christian Counseling Center (BCCC), MA for fourteen years. He was compassionate and insightful in dealing with people in pain and communicating the love of God knowledgeably and effectively. He could evoke a feeling of trust in others and would be seen as a source of strength and stability by those who worked with him. He also taught and led spirituality groups and created newsletters and databases for the Center. His work at the BCCC led him deeply into the study of spiritual aspects of strongly bonded relationships.

In addition to his counseling ministry, Rev. LaSonde was a regular preacher at King’s Chapel in Boston, MA. Furthermore, he represented the denomination as a member of the UU Christian Fellowship, the UUCF minister’s group for theological discussion, and Star Island Corporation.

Pete was a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Following his retirement at BCCC, he volunteered as a caseworker for the Department of Children and Families and loved teaching English as a Second Language. He served as an on-call Chaplain for the Massachusetts General Hospital. In his leisure time, he enjoyed biking, walking, symphony, theater, movies, and the Red Sox. He loved downhill skiing and did it several times each winter with friends and family. He worked in stained glass and read voraciously-especially mysteries. He had season tickets to the symphony and attended regularly with friends.

Pete is survived by his son Christopher LaSonde; daughters: Mallory LaSonde, and the Rev. Andrea LaSonde Anastos; and son-in-law, the Rev. George C. Anastos; as well as three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A memorial service was held on April 6, 2022, in Marlborough, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hudson Community Food Pantry, 28 Houghton Street, Hudson, MA 01749.

Notes of condolences can be sent to the Rev. Andrea LaSonde Anastos, 6842 Pine Arbor Lane South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.