Ray Lasco and his hanai son, Ghesiah Auwae.

LAHAINA — The spiritual strength of the West Side community is built upon the backs of a dedicated core of volunteers. Ray Lasco was a shining light amongst them.

Lasco, a humble family man, passed peacefully away two weeks ago at the age of 59, but his legacy of leadership for the youth of Lahaina will live on for generations to come.

His journey through life was centered on his wife, Wendy, and their two children, son Zach and daughter Alexa. He worked at the Marriott and the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort to support the family, and he extended his care for the community to the West Maui Youth Basketball League.

Under the leadership of Don Rosenthal, the WMYBL was organized some 40 years ago and flourished though the years to become a model youth sports program for Maui County.

During the winter months here on the West Side, Lahaina Civic Center became a beehive of keiki activity, nurturing hoop dreams for girls and boys of all ages.

And Ray Lasco was always there. As a coach, referee, scorekeeper, he was, literally, always there to support the program.

Lasco was voted the WMYBL Coach of the Year several times. “He was a part of this league for more than 30 years,” said Rosenthal last week.

“He coached two teams every year — usually in the Peewee and Midget Divisions. When he wasn’t coaching in a game, he would be a ref or a scorekeeper at the officials’ table. He was always there to support the program.”

“He was the most requested coach by the parents, and he became an icon of the community. Ray was always helping to make things better for everyone involved in the league. For all those years he was a class act and, win or lose, he taught the kids positive life aspects.”

One of those kids was Luis Pico, who grew up on the West Side and graduated as a standout athlete from Lahainaluna High School.

Now a husband and father himself, Pico expressed his gratitude for Lasco in saying, “Coach Ray disciplined me about sportsmanship in ways that will stay with me throughout my life. And I say thank you to him for life.”

Coaching colleague Alec Austin added, “It was a privilege to know Ray through the West Maui Youth Basketball League. He was always kind and helpful, and such a great example for all of us coaches to follow. You will be missed.”

Rosenthal concluded by saying, “He touched so many lives in those 30-plus years, but more importantly, he was a loving family man, and these days that’s hard to find. Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to Wendy and the kids. We will miss him.”