Dr. Paul Eston Lacy, 81 of Zanesville, passed away Tuesday February 15, 2005 in Zanesville. He was a pioneer in the research to understand and cure insulin-dependent diabetes. He was known as father, husband, grandfather, uncle, cousin, father-in-law, mentor, colleague, friend. But each and every person who knew him realizes that with his passing, the world has lost a true humanitarian. Dr. Lacy was born February 7, 1924 in Trinway, Ohio to the late Benjamin Lemert Lacy and Amy Cass (Cox) Lacy. He was known as Sam Lacy by all who knew him growing up. Upon graduation from Jefferson High School, he entered Ohio State University, where he received his medical degree. He received his PhD from the Mayo Foundation of the University of Minnesota. For twenty-three years, until 1984, he was the Mallinkrodt Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pathology, at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was also Pathologist-in-Chief at the Barnes and Allied Hospitals and the St. Louis Children?s Hospital. After retiring as department head, he continued to pursue diabetic research, at Washington University, as the Robert L. Kroc Professor in Pathology. Until his passing, he continued to serve as Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Washington University. Dr. Lacy made important contributions to our understanding of the patho-physiology of beta cells, including studies on isolating islets of Langerhans and islet transplantation. He was a leader in promoting research associated with human diseases. His research helped to begin the current era of cell transplantation, giving hope not only to diabetics, but also to those with many serious illnesses. Too tall to become an astronaut, Paul maintained a lifelong interest in space exploration. He became a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of NASA, and a member of the International Space Station Committee. In addition, experiments designed by his laboratory have been performed on previous space missions. His legacy is in the hearts and minds of those he touched with his gentle humor, curiosity, and support. Dr. Lacy is survived by his wife Bonnie (Mattingly) Lacy, his sons, Paul Eston (Judy) Lacy, Jr., and Steven Talbot (Ricki) Lacy, her children, John E. Starner, Sheryl Williams, Rebecca McInerney, and Brenda Lepi, and their grandchildren, Benjamin Judd Murphie Lacy, Emma and Carly Rothfeld, Bryan and Mark McInerney, Casey, Steven and Clay Williams, and Scott and Ryan Lepi, as well as many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald, Carl and Donald Lacy. He married Ellen (Talbot) Lacy, June 7, 1945, who was also an angel in her own right. They were married for over fifty years. He returned to his family in Ohio, and joined with Agnes Lacy. Sadly, their time was cut short as well. All family and friends were overjoyed when he later married Bonnie. He and Bonnie made many happy memories together, in the all too short time that they had. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Dresden Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home, where a Christian wake service will take place at 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Ann Church in Dresden, with Reverend Father Bob Kitsmiller as celebrant. Burial will take place in Southlawn Cemetery, Coshocton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.