Obituary of Lawrence Shafer

Lawrence Shafer, retired employee for Westcon Concrete Co, Middletown, NY, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at St. Lukes-Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh, NY. The son of Daniel A. and Ada Withers Shafer, Jr., he was born on May 3, 1914 in Montgomery, NY. He was 100 years old. Larry was the widower of the late Mattie Holmes Shafer. He was a 70 year member of the Enterprise Steamer Co. of the Walden Fire Dept. and the Wallkill Masonic Lodge #627. The family of Larry Shafer would like to thank all of our friends for all the kind words and outpouring of love for this man we all lovingly called Poppy Shafer. Dad enjoyed more than 65 years as a member of the Enterprise Steamer Co. of the Walden Fire Dept. and the comradery of its membership. We would also like to thank Dr. Franklin Guneratne and staff for their years of guidance and kindness. Every time anyone of us meets a friend, they always ask, “How’s your Dad” or “How’s Poppy”? He never had a harsh word to say to anyone. When he may not have liked what was happening, instead of just telling you what to do, Dad would always say, “Now it’s up to you, but if it were up to me, here’s what I’d do.” He kindly and gently gave you another way of looking at things. We feel this is just one of the many reasons so many people loved and respected him. Dad would always say to us, “It doesn’t cost anything to smile and be nice”. This was instilled in all of us from his daughters down to his youngest great-great grandchildren. We were blessed to have him for 100+ years. He will be missed by all, but left us all with so much love and dignity. We all love you Dad and miss you already. You have left behind a hole that we will fill with the love you unselfishly taught us. Larry is survived by his daughters, Dawn Simmons of Largo, FL, Gail DiMartino of Walden, and Lauren “Lori” Keator and her husband Ed of Walden; seven grandchildren, Larry, Rene, Billy Simmons all of Florida, Lisa Cerone, Ralph DiMartino , and Daniel and Leanne Keator all of Walden; nine great grandchildren, Michele, Brian, David, Joey, Samantha, Tori, Tyler, Emily and Lauren; two great grandchildren, Ethan Mousaw, and Sebastian Simmons, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother George LeRoy Shafer; sisters, Marie Gillespie and Dorothy Rudolph and granddaughter, Valerie and great-great granddaughter, Wren Mousaw. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 16th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, 39 Orchard St., Walden, NY. Firematic services will be held at 7:30 pm and Masonic services will be held at 8 pm. Funeral services will take place at 11 am on Wednesday, Sept. 17th at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Brick Church Cemetery, Montgomery, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walden Fire Dept. or the Walden Humane Society.