Joseph Laurenzo

Laurenzo, Joseph MECHANICVILLE Joseph Laurenzo, 93, of Grove Street, died Thursday morning, August 14, 2008 at Saratoga Hospital, after an extended illness. A native and lifelong resident of Mechanicville, born March 26, 1915, son of the late Vincenzo and Alexandra Favicchio Laurenzo, Joe lived on Grove Street most of his life. A maintenance supervisor with the former West Virginia Pulp and Paper Co. for 34 years, until the plant closed in 1971, Joe then worked for the Saratoga County Highway Department for six years before retiring in 1977. During World War II, Joe served as a medical assistant with the U.S. Army's 93rd Evacuation Hospital in the European Theatre of Operations, in Normandy northern France and the Rhineland, during the Allies push to Berlin and V-E Day. Joe was an accomplished golfer for many years at Mechanicville Golf Club, enjoyed woodworking, was a daily faithful communicant of the Assumption-St. Paul Church in Mechanicville, a member of the Church's Holy Name Society, and was the bingo leader for 40 years for his church. Joe Laurenzo had been called by many people a "gentleman's gentleman", a man who was soft spoken, kind, loyal and someone you could count on. Joe was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Mary Palmer Laurenzo, who died in 1994. Also his brothers, Armand, Fred, and Vincent "James" Laurenzo and sisters, Concetta and Carmella Ponzillo and Mary DeCrescenzo. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and George Marotta Jr. of Mechanicville; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Constance Laurenzo of Schenectady; two grandchildren, Deborah (Gregory) Miller of Clifton Park and Christopher Laurenzo of Niskayuna; two great-granddaughters, Hanna and Courtney Miller; a brother, Peter (Helen) Laurenzo of Mechanicville; and sister, Madeline Wood of Stillwater; along with many nieces and nephews. Joe Laurenzo's family thanks the staff of Maplewood Manor, for their care, concern and compassion extended to their father and themselves during his stay at Maplewood Manor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at noon at the Assumption-St. Paul William Street Church. Burial with military honors to follow at St. Paul's Cemetery. Calling hours at the William Street Church on Friday from 4-7 p.m. Remembrances may be made to either Assumption-St. Paul Church Endowment Fund or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements by the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, Mechanicville.