Lawrence A. Smith

Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., 95, of 25 Chris Dr. Bradford, passed away Thursday October 15, 2020, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born on August 18, 1925, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Lawrence A. and Margaret (Armstrong) Smith Sr.

Larry graduated from Bradford High School in 1943. He was active in football, basketball, and track, having the opportunity of playing on the 1941-1942 basketball team that played in the first finals for the State Playoffs from Bradford High.

He joined the United States Navy in 1943. Having served in the submarine and anti-submarine warfare in the American and European Theaters during WWII. He had the distinction of having participated in the sinking of two German submarines in the American Theater as well as others in the European Theater.

Larry was an Alumnus of Lehigh University, class of 1950. He also attended Williamsport Technical Institute, as well as several U.S. Navy supporting courses, and having briefly taught Anti-Submarine Tactics at the U.S. Naval Academy.

He was recalled to active duty in April of 1950 during the Korean War. Retiring from the Navy in 1953 as a Chief Petty Officer.

On April 24, 1954 in St. Bernard Church, he married to Joyce M. Slattery with the Rev. Martin Grady presiding. Joyce died on November 25, 1972 of cancer.

Lawrence worked for W.H. McQuilkin Plumbing Co., later known as McQuilkin Plumbing Co., He assumed ownership of McQuilkin Plumbing Co., as a partner with his brother, Jim, after his father retired.

He retired from the company in 1990 but continued as a supporting member until June of 2001. At that time he became a supporting member of Smith Brothers Plumbing and Heating Co., with his two sons, Larry and Mark.

Larry was a past Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O.E. No. 234 and a past Trustee of that Elks Lodge. He was a member of the City of Bradford Plumbing Board and the UCC Board of Appeals for many years. He also belonged to the L.O.O.M No. 124, American Legion Post 108, Italian American Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2432.

He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouting as well as an active supporter for the McKean County Patrol Trip to Washington DC for many years.

Larry had many fond memories of the deer hunting camp days and as time passed on, he was to assume "Mother" of the group.

Surviving are two daughters, Patricia A. Chamberlain, of Barton, NY and Julieanne Stanton, of Jamestown, NY and two sons, Lawrence A. Smith III, of Bradford, and Mark J. Smith, of Bradford  and 12 grandchildren, Kyle, Brian, Eric, Rod, Janelle, Katie, Christopher, Grant, Todd, Zach, Evan, Aubrie, and 11 great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one granddaughter Colleen Chamberlain, one great granddaughter Autumn Rose Smith, and one brother, James Smith.

Friends will be received on Saturday October 24, 2020, from 10:00am to 11:00am in St. Bernard Church at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Raymond Gramata, pastor, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded outside church after the service by members of the United States Navy and by members of the American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to McKean County SPCA PO Box 113, Bradford, PA 16701 or St. Bernard Church Building Fund PO Box 2394 Bradford, PA 16701.

Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

 

HOLLENBECK-CAHILL Funeral Home

33 South Avenue • Bradford, PA 16701

All Condolences -

Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Larry was a good man with a big heart that loved his family. Always was very kind and had a heart of gold. He will definitely be missed by many.
— Brian Abers

To the Smith Family, so sorry for your loss.
— Tish Kelly & Gerry Pehonsky

Rest in peace Mr. Smith. I will truly miss you on my walks in the neighborhood. You always had a smile on your face. Thoughts and Prayers for the Smith family.
— Tina and Mike Vinelli

Phil and I send our condolences to you and your family. Prayers for comfort and peaceful moments.
— Linda Schweiger

I am sorry to hear of Larry''s passing. He was such a good man and really enjoyed his hunting camp times!
— Coleen Colon

To the entire Smith Family, so sorry for your loss. I remember as a child going with my mother to the Smith house to see your mother(grandmother). Mr. Smith would come home and say one word and I would burst into tears. I never knew why he scared me but he did. On the other hand, my sister adored him and he would always make her laugh. He was a great friend to my parents and whenever I came home from Florida he would always stop to say hello and see how my life was going. All I know now is they are all having a great time reunited.
— Mary Ackerman

Smith Family, we send our deepest sympathies.
— Steve and Carol Marcus

So sorry for your family’s loss. He was a great man and will be missed.
— Bonnie Hand

I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss talking with Larry when he would come to St. Bernard School to visit. He loved life and enjoyed it every day. RIP Larry
— Bob South

To the Smith Family. So very sorry for your loss.
— stoney greenberg

To the entire Smith Family. So very sorry for your loss. Larry was an around great person. I always enjoyed visiting and talking with him when I''d see him at Mark''s house. RIP... Larry
— Pick & Anthony Zimbardi

RIP Larry. Our thoughts and prayers are being sent to your entire family. Enjoyed all our visits over the years. ??
— Todd & Patty Briggs

Larry, Mark, Julie, Patty and family, so sorry to hear about your dad. He will be greatly missed. Lots of great memories. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
— Charley and Beth and Charlene Butler

Larry, mark and family, we send you our deepest condolences. The loss of larry includes a wealth of knowledge of the local plumbing community, including a wealth of the history of many plumbing in some of the oldest buildings and streets of the Bradford area. I always listen and took in that information many a times over a cold beer. Mr. Smith took with him an encyclopedia of this town. There will be few people who had the knowledge that he gained through out his years as a plumber. The next time I put a camera in a sewer line in almost any part of Bradford I will remember you.
— Kerry Roslinski

sorry about Larry''s death,he was a great person
— Joseph patituce

So sorry for the loss of Larry. Our condolences for his family and friends. R.I.P.
— Dianne & Jim Lapallo

To the entire Smith Family: So very sorry to hear of Mr. Smith''s passing. In addition to remaining a great friend to our parents, Mr. Smith became a great friend to my sister, brothers and me as we grew into adulthood. I had so much fun the weekend he and my parents came to Bethlehem for a Lehigh football game. Mr. Smith amazed me with all the shortcuts he knew in getting from our home in Allentown over to Bethlehem for the game, and he kept me laughing all weekend. Bradford lost one of its true good guys, and he will be missed. Your entire family remains in my thoughts and prayers.
— Dave Ackerman

So sorry to learn of Larrys passing. He was a sweet man. Always had a smile and asked "how you doing." Prayers to all of you.
— JUDY KEENAN

WE SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY. WE HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES OF LARRY. FONDLY, DICK AND KATHI DITTMAN
— RICHARD DITTMAN

Condolences

  • Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Larry was a good man with a big heart that loved his family. Always was very kind and had a heart of gold. He will definitely be missed by many.

    — Brian Abers
  • To the Smith Family, so sorry for your loss.

    — Tish Kelly & Gerry Pehonsky
  • Rest in peace Mr. Smith. I will truly miss you on my walks in the neighborhood. You always had a smile on your face. Thoughts and Prayers for the Smith family.

    — Tina and Mike Vinelli
  • Phil and I send our condolences to you and your family. Prayers for comfort and peaceful moments.

    — Linda Schweiger
  • I am sorry to hear of Larry''s passing. He was such a good man and really enjoyed his hunting camp times!

    — Coleen Colon