Lawrence J. Marinucci

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, and
grandfather, Lawrence J. Marinucci (Larry, Dad, Poppy).
Larry grew up in South Troy, the only beloved son of first generation Italian-American parents,
Lawrence P. (Lorenzo) Marinucci and Mary C. (Maria) Falco Marinucci. Shortly after graduating
from LaSalle Institute in 1951, he joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served
our country until 1954. His dream had been to be a fighter pilot, but due to his need for
corrective vision, he became skilled as a radio mechanic instead. He was awarded the National
Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal during his service.
After the military, he began to work for the NY Telephone Company, which we know as Verizon
today, starting out climbing poles, working his way up to become the president of the union
and eventually going back to school. He worked his way into management and eventually
became an engineer. Some of his children's earliest memories were of him going away for
weeks at a time to finish courses he was taking at West Point and then later at Sage College.
In 1959, Larry married the love of his life, Amelia T. Casale, and he remained by her side for the
remainder of his life, even when she needed to be placed in memory care, opting to move into
assisted living in the same building for the last year and half, rather than staying in his own
home.

One of the proudest moments in the Marinucci family occurred on Tuesday March 15, 1977,
the day the Green Island Bridge collapsed. Larry was with another co-worker under the bridge,
on the Troy side, working on a project. When they realized the steel girders of the bridge were
beginning to buckle and twist, they ran up the embankment and stopped traffic on both sides
of the bridge. Larry was among a few individuals who received recognition from the cities of
Troy and Green Island as well as a Citizens  Award for Valor, from then NY State Governor, Hugh
Carey.
Kids often think that their father is a hero, and the Marinucci children were no different.
Looking back now, he was not trying to be a hero at all. It’s just the kind of man he was and has
always been. He always did what he thought he had to do. Being a hero isn’t always a great
feat of courage, though he certainly had done that. Rather, it is what people remember about
you and what you create along the way. It’s being there for your loved ones day in and day out,

and it’s teaching them all the little things that build character and make them want to be better
people. That is Larry's legacy, and for that, he was our hero.
Larry was old school and did not believe in making a big fuss over anything, but when it came to
his children and grandchildren, he would swell with pride, and would often say, & "I guess I didn’t
do such a bad job...” He did a great job. He held our hands when we were little and had our
backs when we were adults. His unwavering love and support were a constant for the family,
and his practical advice helped us all through tough times. We can only hope he felt all of our
love and support as he bravely held on for as long as he could.
Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Amelia (Millie), his three children: Laurene (Lori)
(James) Canfield, Lawrence Marinucci, and Maria (Salvatore) Romano. He is predeceased by his
only daughter-in-law, Lissette E. Marinucci. He is also survived by five grandchildren: James
Canfield (Nicole Galuski), Mark Canfield (Alyssa Zumpano), Joseph Canfield, Mackenzie Wells
and Santino Marinucci, and two great-grandchildren: Amelia Canfield and Luca Canfield . He is
also survived by a large and loving extended family, including his many nieces and nephews,
who visited right up to his last day.
The family would like to extend our sincerest love and thanks to our dear family friends and
companions to Mom and Dad, Cindy Peterson and Maggie Rockwell, as well as the entire staff
of the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center and Samaritan Hospital.
Larry will be remembered for his great wit and humor, and for his passion for sports, especially
football and horse racing, as well as politics. He made sure to get his early ballot in. Some of his
best times were at the C.R.A.B. Club in Troy where he would spend hours playing cards,
watching a sporting event, and sharing a few laughs with so many friends who are now long
gone.
As he said many times to Millie over the years, “We had a good run.” That you did, Larry…that
you did. Now it is finally time to rest.

The funeral service for Larry will be held on Wednesday morning at 11
AM at St. Michael The Archangel Church where a mass of Christian
burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and
may call at the church Wednesday morning from 9 AM until 11 AM.
Arrangements By The Bocketti Funeral Home

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