PLATTSBURGH — Oswald "Larry" Lawliss, 83, of Rand Hill Road, Morrisonville, N.Y., died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, surrounded by his loving family. Larry was born in Plattsburgh on Jan. 18, 1930. He is the son of Oswald and Lina (Phaneuf) Lawliss Kelley.
Larry is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Wanda (Bellows) Lawliss; four siblings: John and his wife Gail Lawliss, Margaret Lawliss Abare, Patricia and her husband Ira Snow, Russell and his wife Niki Lawliss; and a sister-in-law Joanne Lawliss of Palmyra, N.Y.; his six children, Jamie and her husband Glenn Burdo of West Chazy, N.Y., Tina and her husband Pat Spellman of Dannemora, N.Y., Andre Lawliss and Tonya LaFountain of Morrisonville, N.Y., Ozzie and his wife Sharon Lawliss of Highland Village, Texas, Christine and her husband Timothy Curley of South Glens Falls, N.Y.; and Christopher Lawliss of Morrisonville, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Carissa (Spellman) and her husband Justin Glicksman, Jason and his wife Anne Lawliss, Megan Spellman, Becky (Burdo) and her husband Chad LaDue, Justin Burdo, Erin (Curley) and her wife Erin Woods, Erik Curley, and Shannon Curley; his great-grandchildren, Hannah and Jake Glicksman, Alexandria and Landon LaDue, Jaielynn Curley, Keane and Gehrig Lawliss.
He was predeceased by his father, mother and two brothers; Clarence Lawliss and Morton Lawliss.
Larry was a veteran of the Korean War. He served in the Army from 1952-1954, where he received the title of Corporal and a Commendation Medal, along with other honors. Larry retired from the Carpenter's Local Union #1042 in 1980. Most of his work was done with Murnane Associates, where he worked on many local distinguished projects: missile sites, Plattsburgh State University, CVPH Medical Center, Wyeth-Ayerst Labs, Troop Barracks and many more.
Larry and Wanda shared an unconditional and indescribable love for one another. They raised their six amazing children together and always taught them that family comes first. Larry and his son Christopher were "two peas in a pod." They had a special father-son bond like no other; they were not only father and son, they were best friends. Larry loved spending time with his family whether it was Sunday meals at the house, family trips to the casino, playing the harmonica, taking an afternoon nap with his dog "Chipper" on his lap, or selling and buying antiques; although his favorite thing to do was to play poker and pinochle with his family. Many years ago, while playing poker, he was given the name "Lucky Larry" by his son-in-law, Pat Spellman, and from that point on he was known as "Lucky Larry" around town. Whenever any of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren walked in the room his face lit up with excitement to see them and to know it was an opportunity to tell a story about one of life's little lessons. He was so proud of his family. He was one of the best- son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to ever walk on this earth.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, at Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street, Plattsburgh, N.Y. A Roman Catholic mass will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville, Tuesday, Jan. 29, with a reception to follow at St. Alexander's reception hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y., or St. Alexander's Church, 1 Church St., Morrisonville, NY.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.healdfuneralhomeinc.
