Armand La Sorsa

Dr. Armand Michael La Sorsa, age 90, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020, surrounded by his family. His story was one of a life well-lived.  This gentle, generous man will be missed by his wife and best friend of 44 years, Carol, and his children Valerie (Ryan), Anthony (Megan), and Christopher (Kaleigh). He taught his kids the beauty of a structured aria, the value of a smart investment, and the luck in a single bay leaf.  Dr. La Sorsa was proud to be the patriarch to his family and was a major presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, Morgan, Michael, Allie, Jillian, Hadley, Reid, and 7th grandchild due in July. They loved sneaking away to his office to play a tune on the upright piano or curl up on his reading couch.  Born on November 19, 1929 in North Arlington, New Jersey, Dr. La Sorsa was the third of three boys to Michael and Ida Rose La Sorsa. As a child, he was studious, ambitious, and a devoted son.  In 1942, Dr. La Sorsa completed high school at Pittsfield High School in Pittsfield, New Jersey. He graduated from Andrews University in 1953 and received his M.D. degree from Loma Linda Medical School in 1957. Combining his adventurous spirit and drive to serve others, Dr. La Sorsa served as a flight surgeon in the Navy for 2-1/2 years. Shortly after honorable discharge from Service, he was recruited to join a private medical practice in Manistique, Michigan. It was in Manistique that Armand met his Yooper bride and started his beloved family. Spectrum Health brought Dr. La Sorsa to Grand Rapids, where he practiced for 24 years until his retirement at age 80. He was a long-standing member of the Radiological Society of North America. He and Carol enjoyed the annual retreat to Chicago, Armand to learn the new techniques and trends and Carol to enjoy the hospitality and cuisine at Lawry’s The Prime Rib. A lifelong scholar, Dr. La Sorsa extended his medical education with a specialty in Radiology from Michigan State University and a fellowship in Nuclear Medicine from William Beaumont in Detroit, Michigan.  Alongside his devotion to serving patients over a period of more than 50 years, Dr. La Sorsa enjoyed going to the opera, cooking, listening to music, reading, and the occasional game of golf. He was an avid runner for much of his life having completed 11 marathons, a 3-time Boston marathon finisher.  Indeed a life well lived. And he was well loved.  In keeping with Dr. La Sorsa’s wishes, no formal service will be held.

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