He was born June 12, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Joseph and Anna (DePhillips) Lazzarino. He graduated from Brooklyn Prep High School in 1952, then attended Cornell University for one year. He then served two years in the U.S. Army. He later attended the University of Wyoming, where he played on the football team. He graduated from law school at the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Lazzarino practiced law in Columbia, S.C., for 2 1/2 years. He and his family returned to Laramie, Wyo. He taught high school Latin, English and business law and served as assistant football coach at Laramie High School. He then worked for Casper College, where he rewrote the junior college by-laws for the state of Wyoming. From 1967 to 1974, he was director of independent study in continuing education at Kansas University. He retired as co-executive director of CHARLEE, a nationwide network of group homes, based at Menninger Clinic, Topeka. His work in Lawrence also included writing two novels with E. Kent Hayes, “Broken Promise,” which was named best book for young adults by the American Library Assn., and “Find a Safe Place.” He was also active in writing early-education head-start grants for programs at American-Indian reservations around the country.

He married Diane Larson on Aug. 7, 1957, in Laramie, Wyo. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Chris, Lawrence; a daughter, Evie Lazzarino, Los Angeles; a brother, Joseph, Lutz, Fla.; and a sister, Ann Edwards, Sea Girt, N.J.

A reception at Adams Alumni Center will follow the service.

The family suggests memorials to American Diabetes Assn. or to Hospice Care of Douglas County, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.