Lawrence D. Caney

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Lawrence Caney Obituary

CANEY LAWRENCE D. CANEY CAPT, U.S. NAVY (Ret.) Captain Lawrence Caney USN Ret, died on November 20, 2009 in Fairfax Virginia. He was 88. Born and raised in Gardiner, Maine, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1943. Captain Caney wore the Navy uniform for 40 years and was the last officer in his Naval Academy class to retire from active duty. He had six sea commands. He is survived by two sons, Lawrence D, Jr. and John F. both of Valley Center CA; one daughter Ellen Mugg of Mooresville NC; and his sister Imogene Caney Fair of Louisville MS; four grandchildren; and two great grandsons. His wife of 55 years, the former Ann Pomerleau, predeceased him in 1998. In 2005 he married Marjorie Dudley Corle of Alexandria, VA. A memorial service will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria at 5 pm on November 23, 2009. Internment will follow in Gardiner Maine. A donation to the United Service Organization ( www.uso.org ) is appreciated in lieu of flowers.

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Published by The Washington Post on Nov. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Caney

11 Entries

Royal G. C. Collette

November 17, 2020

Just to add to my original memorial, the 20th of November is now a most significant date in that is the same date my beloved wife of 53 years passed away in 2016. I will visit my wife’s grave at Arlington on the 20th and will have occasion to remember those of have a special place in my life and career.

Royal G. C. Collette, Captain, USN (Ret)

Ronald Williams

December 24, 2009

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Capt. Caney.

My first assignment in the Navy was the crew of the USS Henry B. Wilson DDG 7 in Bay City, Michigan.

It was there that I met Capt. Caney. I stayed with the Wilson until my discharge in l962.

Capt. Caney was one of the most brilliant men I have met in my lifetime. I was his yeoman in San Diego and a Far East Cruise. He helped me immensely in my own writing skills as I eventually became a high school principal. Since l962 we have shared Christmas cards and letters each year.

We will miss him. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

Jack Orzalli

December 20, 2009

It was my privilege to serve under Captain Caney on board Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) during the 1960-1962 period of commissioning, shakedown, and first WestPac Deployment. He was my Commanding Officer, mentor, and friend.
Our paths crossed only a few times after that, but each occasion was always a very pleasant experience. I will miss him.

My condolences to his family, he was a truly great Officer and Gentleman.

John (Jack) B. Orzalli
Captain USN (ret.)

Art Ellingsen

December 19, 2009

I met Captain Caney at the first Henry B Wilson reunion held in the fall of 2004 at San Diego. I remember he was accompanied by his granddaughter and I really got to know him on the dinner cruise. I was amazed at how such an elderly gentleman could still be so sharp mentally.

The next time I met him was two weeks before he died. We sat next to each other at a dinner in Jacksonville, FL, sponsored by the Adams Class Veterans Association. He was the oldest person who attended that event and when I reminded him of our first meeting in San Diego he reminded me how we had talked quite a bit on the harbor cruise 5 years before in San Diego.

This time Captain Caney’s wife was with him and when the music started, they were among the first ones to hit the dance floor.

It was my privilege to sit next to a man who served his county so well for so many years.

He will be missed.

David Yorck

December 14, 2009

Captain Caney USNavy worked with my wife Mrs. Francine Dadashi Yorck in Iran 1976-1977. We renewed are friendship in 1980 in Washington D.C.
Captain Caney visted our son at USNA Class of 2005.
Captain Caney went to the wedding of Captain David and Kelly Yorck USMC in Culpeper, VA. He has been a friend and mentor for over 30 years. Rest in Peace

Dan & Penney Marks

December 12, 2009

I made the first WestPac cruise, 6 January - 18 July 1962 on the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) under Captain Caney’s Command. I never realized that I would have contact with the Wilson crew after I left the ship and the NAVY. It was in the mid 1990's that my wife and I had lunch with Lt. Cdr. Charlie Busenlehner regarding the possibility for a USS Henry B. Wilson DDG-7 reunion. Some years later Charlie had me give Captain Caney a call to discuss the creation of a website, reunions for the HBW and more. Captain Caney invited my wife and myself to visit him at his home in Wiscasset, ME. We took him up on it, flying from CA to ME where he met us and showed us many of the local points of interest. One tour he scheduled for us was a walk through of the General Dynamics ship yard at Bath, ME to see the new Arleigh Burke Destroyers being built, what a treat.

The reunions and website became a reality, with plans to have one next fall in Norfolk, VA next year in Captain Caney's honor. So many shipmates have commented at the reunions on his outstanding character; that he was the best. Penney, my wife and I were very fortunate to get to know him the last several years.

He will be missed !

Dan & Penney Marks
www.usshenrybwilsonddg7.com

Conrad Lautenbacher

December 3, 2009

I served two tours of duty on the USS HENRY B WILSON(DDG-7)in the '60s and loved the ship and our crew. Capt Caney had departed but he was a legend even then and became more so as the years passed and his career continued to make news. I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family at this difficult time and advise that is the people who make a ship and Capt Caney will be forever known as the individual who gave DDG-7 the reputation as the "best in the fleet"! Those of us that followed benefitted from his superb leadership!
With great respect,
Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr VADM USN ret

Royal Collette

December 2, 2009

We received the news of CAPT Caney's passing while spending a week at Surfside Beach, SC over the Thanksgiving week and we were unable to attend the local DC memorial service.

I was part of the nucleus crew reporting to Bay City, MI in August of 1960. As one of the two Ensign assistant Supply Officers, we had much to get WILSON ready for commissioning in Dec 1960. CAPT Caney also gave me the collateral duty as PAO and this allowed me to take a number of pictures of the ship all the way to our first missile shoot off the coast of Okinawa.

Needless to say, both CAPT Caney and LCDR Shanahan, (now VADM Ret.) were instrumental in my staying in the Navy. That team was the best mix of talent and leadership that I ever encountered in all my 25 years in the Navy. There really was no reason to leave a job that I enjoyed so much (most of the time).

Of note was having CAPT and Mrs. Caney attend my annual DC Christmas party last year. They had a great time and all of my other guests (mostly Flags and 06s) were regaled with his sea stories. We enjoyed them immensely. He epitomized what a real Commanding Officer should be, and those of us who had the privilege of serving under him will forever remember him for those fine qualities.

Royal G.C. Collette, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Charles Busenlehner

December 2, 2009

Capt. Lawrence D. Caney was an inspiration to all who served with him during his outstanding career. He changed my life for th e better in many ways early in my 30 years of Navy service.

Lcdr Charles E. Busenlehner III, USN,(ret)

Robert Shubin

December 1, 2009

I met Capt. Caney in June of 1960 when reporting for duty in Bay City, MI. as the Second Enlisted Crew Member and was the first crew member to leave the USS Henry B. Wilson. Capt. Caney tried to persuade me to re-enlist with his ever presence love of the Navy. Was good to see the Capt. at the first and third reunions of the Wilson. He will be missed by all who knew him.

My prayers go to his family and we know the seas will forever be calm to the good Captain.

RADM J. Clarke Orzalli

November 23, 2009

My father was a member of the commissioning crew of USS Henry B. Wilson. As a youngster, I remember meeting and visiting with CAPT Caney on numerous occasions. He had the kind of command presence that left impressions on me even to this day. I was recently contacted by members of his crew, inviting me to speak at a reunion next year. I was excited about the opportunity to meet with him again, as he was the type of Naval Officer that, in addition to my father, was a role model. I was saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of loss.

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