Joseph E. Laramie, Jr.

No. Redington, Florida
Joseph Edward Laramie, Jr., 90, a resident of 17117 Gulf Bvd., Apt. 543, and formerly of Turners Falls, MA, died Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Largo Medical Center, Largo, FL, following a brief illness.

Joe was born on June 9, 1927 in Erving, Massachusetts to Sara (Morgan) and Joseph E. Laramie, Sr. and was educated in Erving Public Schools and the New Salem Academy. A member of the Greatest Generation, he served honorably in the USN from July 1945 until August 1946, aboard the USS APC-88 attaining the rate of Seaman First Class. He was the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal.

He was employed by the Millers Falls Tool Company, later for Lunt Silversmiths for 30 years, retiring as the Human Resources and Plant Manager. Joe was very active in the civic arena, having served as a town meeting member for the Town of Montague and on the Gill Montague School Committee. He was one of the founding members of the Newt Guilbault Little League, where he coached his son, Russ on the Turners Falls Eagles Team. He was a member and past president of the former Turners Falls Rotary Club, as well as member of the Turners Falls Athletic Club. Joe was a communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, Turners Falls, MA.

He was a devoted fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox (even from afar in Florida!) and enjoyed traveling, reading, crossword puzzles and playing cards. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and playful nature. His family and friends, will recall the many spirited and laughter filled events with his “best friends” the late John Shanahan, John Emond, Maurice Emond and Bill Barry from the “Rotary Days”!

He married the former Mary Jean McLaughlin on July 29, 1949 in Erving, MA. Sadly, she predeceased him on March 31, 2010 following nearly 61 years of marriage. Additionally, Joe was predeceased by his parents and his siblings: Kathleen Grandmason, Norma Peters, Diane Batchelder, James Laramie and John Emond. Joe is lovingly remembered by his son Russell and his wife Karen of Turners Falls, MA, as well as his grandchildren: Mark Laramie of Washington, D.C. and Kate Prondecki and her husband Stephen and their children Maya and Evelyn of Greenfield, MA. He leaves several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews to remember him with affection.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial in celebration of Joe’s life and his patriotism, will be observed on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 from Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh Street, Turners Falls, MA at 10:00AM. Rev. Fr. Stanley J. Aksamit, Pastor, will be the celebrant. Rites of committal and interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, with full military honors to be conducted by a detachment of the US Navy in attendance, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295 providing a firing detail. A reception will be announced at the conclusion of the committal services. Visiting hours have been omitted. Expressions of affection in the form of a charitable contribution in Joe’s memory are preferred in lieu of flowers, to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33^rd Street, New York, NY 10016.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph E. Laramie, Jr., please visit our floral store.