Lawrence E. Stevens

Stevens, Lawrence E. SOUTH GLENS FALLS Lawrence E. Stevens, 72, of South Glens Falls, passed away on July 13, 2014, at The Pines after a 15 year battle with chordoma cancer. Born on September 17, 1941 in Troy, he was the son to the late Edwin C. "Cliff" and Anna M. (Krogel) Stevens. Known to many as Larry or "Big Lar", he graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, class of 1960. After high school he worked for Niagara Mohawk. He served the United States Army from 1964-1966. He was stationed in Fort McClellan, Ala. After an honorable discharge, Larry attended Hudson Valley Community College. He worked for New York State Department Of Transportation as a civil engineer for 31 years. He retired in 1999. Larry took great pride in the construction of the roads, canals, and bridges in the Capital District (Albany - Essex Counties). He had a passion for mathematics and problem solving. He always wanted to share his knowledge and technical advice with anyone who would listen. Whether it was how to read a slide rule, change a tire, or figure out how much a gallon of milk weighs. On July 11, 1970, he married Mary Ellen Colomb at Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall. Larry was a communicant of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in South Glens Falls. His faith was most important to him. Larry believed God had a hand in keeping him alive even when doctors didn't give him hope. Larry was very generous and always willing to help those in need. He valued family. Larry always took the time to tell Mary Ellen how nice she looked. He enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren walk through the front door. He was a man of few words, but taught his children valuable life lessons and skills; check the oil in your car before a long road trip, don't buy something if you can't pay cash, and to eat whatever your mother makes for dinner. Larry loved his wife's cooking and baking. He was known for his dry sense of humor. During his spare time, Larry found entertainment in playing and watching billiards. He would occasionally compete in tournaments. He also enjoyed watching the game of golf, Turner Classic Movies, and the History Channel. His favorite movie was Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). He looked forward to deer hunting in Speculator at Camp Gingeration for "The Hunt." He shared many good times at camp with his son, Drew, his nephew, Ned, his late father, Cliff, brother, Ned, and friends, the late Jack Walsh, and Joe Vigneron. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Edwin C. "Ned" Stevens II and his wife, Dorothy Rourke; his brother, Thomas F. Stevens; sister, Anne Marie Stevens; his mother and father-in-law, Veronica and Ralph Colomb and John FitzGerald. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Ellen Stevens. His children survive him; his son, Gregory Stevens and his wife, Amy, of Big Flats, N.Y. and their children, Caroline and Vanessa; his son, Andrew Stevens and his wife, Courtney, of Queensbury and their daughter, Eleanor; his daughter, Laura (Stevens) King and her husband, Scott of Moreau; his brother, James Stevens and his wife Grace, of Loudonville, and their children, Mary Beth, Judy, Karen, Michael, Matthew, Patrick, Jim, and Tom; his nephews, Ned Stevens and Michael Jacobson; and his niece, Lynne Stevens; his sister-in-law, Kay Pelletier and her husband, Chuck of North Petersburgh, and their children, Jeremy, Danielle, and Christopher; and many cousins, great-nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., on July 17, 2014, at Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road in Queensbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, July 18, 2014 at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 80 Saratoga Avenue in South Glens Falls at 10 a.m., with Rev. Guy T. Childs officiating. Larry will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery, Main Street in South Glens Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to C.R. Wood Cancer Center, Pruyn Pavilion, 102 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 80 Saratoga Avenue, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. We would like to thank our extended family and friends who prayed for Larry throughout the years, sent well wishes, took time to call Larry or visit him during his final days. Thank you for your love and friendship. And as Larry would say, "Keep your powder dry."