Obituary of Lawrence E. Wagstaff

Winthrop – Lawrence E. Wagstaff, Jr., 66, passed away December 31, 2012 in Potsdam.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Lawrence was born on August 6, 1946 in Potsdam, son of the late Lawrence E. and Florence (Moulton) Wagstaff, Sr.   He graduated from St. Lawrence Central School and went to work as a truck driver, hauling milk for Wilson Trucking.  He married Joanne Smith on October 11, 1969 at St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence, with whom he shared his heart for 43 years.  He took on the responsibility of operating his own dairy farm until 1994; then drove truck for Econo Fuels. Larry will be remembered as a kind and gentle person; genuine in his vast friendships and never at a loss of time for conversations.   He was always ready to listen and share a story or two.  Devout in his Christian faith, he grew up in and still attended the Buckton United Methodist Church and was a member of the Christian Community Men’s Group.  He was also a member of the Winthrop Grange, 4-H and FFA. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; six daughters, Julie and Peter Maslyn of Farmington, Jenny and Gregory Marsh of Winthrop, Jerrie Anne and Brian O’Rourke of Powell, OH, Jessie and Robert Chandler of Rochester, Sarah and Brian Gregory of East Amherst, and Stacie Sears of Brasher Falls; two sisters, Margaret Brennan of Syracuse, and Arleen and Karl Rech of Wilson, NC; one brother, Allen and Sharon Wagstaff of Winthrop; eleven grandchildren, Jacob, Elizabeth, Olivia and Grace Maslyn, Gillian and Max O’Rourke, Cody Chandler, Annaliese and Eloise Gregory, Abigayle and Aaron Sears; nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be Friday afternoon from 4 to 8 pm at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop.   Larry’s Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be Saturday at 2 pm at the Buckton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers; those wishing to express an act of kindness, please consider donations in Larry’s honor to the Tri Town Food Pantry, c/o 520 Reagan Road, Winthrop, NY 13697 or Christian Community Men’s Group (Campers Scholarships) c/o 976 Pickle Street, Winthrop, NY 13697 Memories and condolences can be shared with Larry’s family at www.hammillfh.com.