Henry Louis “Hank” (or “Bub”) Lomasney peacefully passed from this earth on Sept. 2, 2024, at 10:43 p.m. in Mandeville, La., at age 85, following a battle with renal cell carcinoma. Hank was a beacon of light to all with whom he interacted. He exuded unquenchable optimism, a joyous fascination with science and nature, unbridled selflessness, and limitless patience. Whether you were a longtime friend, family member or short-term acquaintance, Hank would make you feel like you were the most important and fascinating person in the world. He will be deeply missed. Hank was born the second of seven children to loving parents Henry Martin and Elizabeth Ann on Sept. 23, 1938, in Nashville, Tenn. He spent his first seven years in Oak Ridge, Tenn., while his father worked on a classified government project in the area. After World War II, the family relocated to eastern New Orleans, La., where Hank spent his formative years surrounded by a very close and loving family in a humble home on Chef Menteur Highway. He attended St. James Major Catholic elementary school, Jesuit High School (‘56), and Tulane University (‘60), where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Hank first attained a position as an NASA engineer on the Apollo program before returning to New Orleans to join the family business, Southern Imperial Professional Coatings, in 1968. As CEO, he grew the business along with his siblings to one of the top industrial coating manufacturers for the offshore oil and nuclear power industries. He later founded Isotron Corporation in east New Orleans, dedicated to research and development of advanced radiation decontamination techniques. After a brief stint with Scientific Ecology Group in Oak Ridge, Tenn., he accepted a position as the vice president of international sales at Tnemec industrial coatings corporation in Kansas City, Mo., in 1998. Hank then re-established Isotron Corporation in 2002 before relocating to his mountain home in Pagosa Springs, Colo., in 2004. He found great joy in his later years maintaining his property, finding an almost spiritual connection with the woods and mountains. Never fully retiring, Hank’s scientific exploits continued, as he experimented with new advanced polymer concepts nearly up until his death. Hank was predeceased by father Henry (1968), mother Elizabeth (1989), brothers William “Billy” (2021), John “Johnny” (2022) and Michael “Mickey” (2024). He is survived by his widow, the former C. Jane Turnbull; cherished children Peter, Henry Jr., Joel (Meredith), Patrick (Evelyn), Samuel (Corinna) and Christina Mattis (James); beloved grandchildren Samuel, Benjamin, Louis, Caroline, Claire, Madelyn, Cooper, Scott, Carmen and Adrian; adored sisters Grace Bauer, Elizabeth Borne (Edward), and Mary Jo Lorio (“J F”); and sisters-in-law Barbara and Jackie.
Visitation will commence at 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mandeville, followed by the Requiem Mass. Another internment service will occur at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs, Colo., per Hank’s wishes, at a future date to be determined.
