Laurent P. Menard

Laurent P. Menard, Jr. 1932-2020 Sauquoit Laurent P. Menard, Jr. Larry, as most knew him was born on November 18, 1932 in an Oriskany Falls, N. Y. farm house. His parents Laurent P. Menard, Sr and Eleanor Wasczkiewicz Menard had always told him he was born late in the evening on the 17th of November by a local country doctor who made house calls. so Larry lived most of his life registered every where as born on 11/17/32. But at the age of 84 when he lost a passport and he had to go to the county office to confirm his personal information for an enhanced drivers license he was told he was born on November 18 because that is when the doctor who delivered him into this world took the paper work into the county office. Well that late in life experience was a challenge but it finally got straightened out with all new birth certificate, license and the rest of life’s certification. Larry’s mother & father relocated to Clayville and Sauquoit neighborhoods where Larry grew up as a wonderful youngster, good student who graduated from Sauquoit Valley Central School class of 1951. He continued his education by graduation from the Mohawk Valley Community College with a degree in accounting. Larry started his career as a clerk and general sales assistant at the C. G. Alberding, Hardware & Farm Implement store in Clayville, N. Y. as he gained experience he pursued his accounting interest and skill with a position with the Borden Milk Company in Utica, N Y. where he spent the bulk of adult career as an accountant. He lived in the historical era of the development of office computerization of accounting and general business management. He retired with a well deserved Borden pension in the late 70s. Larry loved family, the Sauquoit valley, its people, automobiles and flowers. his love for all of these things were demonstrated first by his dedication to being one of the charter members and leadership of the Sauquoit Valley Optimist club where he served in leadership roles including president and additional club officer posts. but most of all he was always there helping set up, manage and complete activities for the Sauquoit Valley youth. As a bachelor he could afford to spend money on his two additional loves of life his automobiles and flowers to the Menard household yard. as many did in the 50s and 60s larry bought new cars every few years. first the Chevrolets, then Oldsmobiles and one short experience with a luxurious Lincoln Town car. He would enjoy driving everywhere especially when he could visit his aunts and uncles in the Ottawa, Canada area. The attention to the flower beds and yard at home was Larry’s part of being a stay near home base kind of guy during his career and later life. He always had beautiful flower beds around the front and rear yards. Larry leaves behind his loving brother Ronald C. Menard and Sister in Law Margaret Bray Menard and his younger brother Aurel J. Menard and wife Patricia Gaffney Menard. Larry will be remembered by his immediate nieces and nephews by always remembering birthdays and Christmas. A generous loving soul of an uncle he was. The recipients of his generosity included Sharon Mckenzie Menard, Melissa Menard daughters of Ronald & Margaret and Micheline Marie Menard, James Laurent Menard, and Timothy Joseph Menard children of Aurel & Pat Menard. additional grand nieces & nephews offspring of the families mentioned were also recipients of great generosity of their great Uncle Larry. Larry’s life will be celebrated by a funeral mass scheduled in the near future at St. Patricks - St. Anthony Catholic Church, Chadwicks, N. Y. as soon as possible after the present virus crisis ends. He will be laid to rest in the Menard family plot in the St. Mary’s Cemetary in Clayville, N. Y. Additional condolences can be shared with the family via the Smith Funeral Home website at: www.smith-funeralhome.com