WEST ONEONTA — S. Lawrence (Larry) Baldwin passed away Aug. 27, 2012, surrounded by his family.
He was born Sept. 8, 1930, in Mineola, the son of Marvin C. and Frances (Lawrence) Baldwin. Larry graduated from Westbury High School and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He enrolled in the ROTC program and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
Upon graduation he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. When he was discharged from the Navy he was employed by New York City Department of Water Supply at Ashokan Reservoir in Olive Bridge.
In August of 1962, Larry became the City Engineer for Oneonta and moved his family to Gilbertsville, May 1963. Later Larry became a partner with Leon Kalmus and established Baldwin and Kalmus Associates. He also was self-employed as a consulting engineer on several major projects in the area including the original Boys’ Club in Oneonta.
In 1970, he went to work for the New York State Department of Health as Senior Sanitarian in Oneonta until his retirement in 1988.
Larry married Dolores (Cook) Baldwin on Feb. 20, 1982, and built their log home in which they resided for 17 years in Gilbertsville. Larry and Dolores traveled extensively across the United States and to Canada as members of the Holiday Rambler RV Club. They spent several winters in Yuma, Ariz., and Dade City, Fla., and made many lifelong friends.
Larry was an avid hunter, trapper, fisherman, and horseman. He also enjoyed cooking, basket weaving, and especially spending time with his friends and family.
He belonged to the Elk’s Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, NYS Trapper’s Association, Holiday Rambler RV Club. He was a member and Eucharistic minister of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oneonta and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zephyrhills, Fla.
He was predeceased by his parents; and a son, Samuel Lawrence Baldwin II.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dolores Baldwin; sister, Ann (Bill) Edgar of Southampton; brother, G. Hewlett (Cathy) Baldwin of Ruxton, Md.; and his children, Dale Cook of Cortland, Dennis (Lori) Cook of Yuma, Ariz., Sue Steen of Mannsville, Trudy (Bill) Claudy of Hartwick, Sherry (Bob) Hall of Gilbertsville, Kelly (Michael) Butler of Oneonta, Carol (Randy) Neale of Masonville, and Kathy (Bob) Miller of Wellington, Fla. Larry is also survived by 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. David Mickiewicz, officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting the website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
