Obituary of James L. Lawrence, Sr.

Watertown, NY (Sulphur Springs) – James L. Lawrence, Sr., of Watertown, NY passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY where he had been a patient since Friday, September 23rd. He was born, December 20, 1931, in Sackets Harbor, NY, son of Gilbert and Julia Bockus Lawrence. He was a 1951 graduate of Hounsfield Central School, now Sackets Harbor Central School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1951, serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fayetteville, NC until his discharge in 1954. He married Norma J. Resseguie on June 8, 1952, in the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wilbur Hull officiating. The couple lived in Norwood before moving to Sulphur Springs in 1957. He was employed by the former NY Telephone Company retiring from its’ successor, NYNEX, in 1988. Jim was an active member of the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church and a founding member of the Sackets Harbor Fire Dept., Station #2, Sulphur Springs. He was a member of Star Grange #9, member of Telephone Pioneers of America, honorary member of the WCTU and a former Justice and Councilman of the Town of Hounsfield. At the time of his death, he was a Trustee of the Sulphur Springs Cemetery Association and the cemetery Superintendent. He is survived by his wife, Norma, of 64 years; two sons, James L. Jr. and wife Cynthia, Sulphur Springs, Kenneth M. Sr., Adams Center; and daughter, Vonnice L. and husband Stephen Joels, Sulphur Springs; and daughter-in-law Bonnie Lawrence, Sulphur Springs. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Jim Fields, Oakridge, NC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Brenda and Freeman Shaw, Punta Gorda, FL; ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents and a brother, Gerald G. (Jerry) Lawrence. Arrangements have been entrusted to Piddock Funeral Home, Adams, NY. Per his request, there will be no calling hours. A funeral will be held, Monday, October 3, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church with Pastor Melissa McCarthy officiating. Burial will follow at the Sulphur Springs Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Ramada Inn, 6300 Arsenal Street, Watertown immediately following the burial. Memorial donations may be made to the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, c/o John Mantle, 21137 Storrs Road, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 or the Sulphur Springs Cemetery Association, c/o William Main, 18692 County Route 66, Watertown, NY 13601.