Laurence E. Piper, 87, a Norwich resident since 1952, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 28, 1926, Larry was the son of Laurence E. Piper, Sr. and Louise Blanchard Piper. He attended Springfield High School. Before finishing high school he enlisted during World War II with the United States Coast Guard. After his stint in the service he enrolled at the Rochester Institute of Technology and received his Associates Degree in photography.
On August 6, 1949, in Norwich, Larry married Mary Grace Famolaro. After a short time living in Alexandria, Louisiana, Larry and Mary returned to Norwich to be with her large Sicilian family. Larry was a photographer for the GLA Corporation in Norwich and then a marketing representative and photographer for the Raymond Corporation in Green.
Larry was predeceased by his wife Mary, who died on August 10, 2007. He was also predeceased by his mother and his sister, Janice Chandler, of Moro Bay, California. He is survived by his brother, Robert Whelan, of West Springfield, Massachusetts. Larry has 2 children, Sandra (and Paul) Christman, of St. Johnsville, NY and David (and Linda) Piper of Clermont, Florida; and four grandchildren, Tanya LaCoss, Aaron Christman, Michael Piper and Kathleen Mosser. He was blessed with 5 great grandchildren: Tanya’s twins (MacKenzie and Hannah), Michael’s twins (Arianna and Alexis) and Kathy’s son (Anthony).
Larry will be remembered for his myriad public services, including the Boy Scouts, Elks Swim Teams, volunteer work at Chenango Memorial Hospital, and work with the senior center in Norwich. He loved photography and received many awards for his portraits and landscapes.
A memorial service for Larry will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 9, 2013 in Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel at St. Paul’s Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
Contributions in memory of Larry may be made to the charity of your choice. In his final months Chenango County Hospice provided loving care during some very difficult times.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.