Francis R. Laszewski, 101, of Endicott, passed away at Wilson Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Francis was predeceased by his Polish immigrant parents, Casmir and Julia (Stetts) Laszewski, brothers and sisters-in-law, George (Jessie), Stanley (Mary), Lewis (Mary), Thomas (Stephanie), Leo (Mary Elizabeth), and Harold; sisters, Esther (Stanley) Zalenski, Helen (Neal) Bunnell and sister-in-law Peggy (Raymond). Francis was born in Shunk, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1913. The family moved in 1927 to Jackson Avenue in Endicott, where he continued to live for the next 84 years. Francis is survived by his brothers Raymond and Joseph, sister-in-law Eileen and several nieces and nephews; among them Bonnie (Laszewski) McNamara, who was like his own daughter, nephew, fishing buddy, and hunting partner Joey Laszewski, and his Godson and guardian David Laszewski. Francis was one of seven proud Laszewski siblings (Thomas, Leo, Joe, Ray, Harold, and Esther) to serve their country during WW. II. He was a highly decorated Army infantry platoon Sargent serving in New Guinea and the Phillipines, where he was involved in some of the fiercest fighting in the South Pacific. Francis was also one of the oldest living World War II survivors. After the war Francis attended Harpur College (predecessor to Binghamton University) in Endicott, where he graduated as part of one of the first graduating classes in B.U. history. He spent his career at General Electric in Westover. Francis loved the outdoors. When he wasn’t fishing, hunting, or gardening, he could be seen around his neighborhood clearing snow from sidewalks, passing out his fruits and vegetables, and visiting with neighbors-especially his great friends George and Joy Miller. The family would like to thank the staff of Willow Point Nursing Home, lower level north, for their care for the last five years, and Dr. Kennedy whom he enjoyed meeting and conversing with while a resident.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday 11 am at the All Saints Polish National Church, 42 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. The family will receive friends at Church from 10 am until 10:45 am. Expressions of sympathy in Francis’s memory may be made to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Association, 76 Main Street, Binghamton, NY 13905 or the All Saints Polish National Church, 42 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790.