Lawrence Kolankiewicz

Lawrence "Larry", 93, formerly of the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, PA,

passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2026 due to complications from the flu and congestive heart failure. After earning his BA from Temple in 1955, Larry started as a management trainee at what was then Bell of Pennsylvania, evolved into AT&T, then Bell Atlantic and finally Verizon, learning the "wires" from the ground up and ultimately, to Project Manager. He moved his young family from the Mayfair section of Philadelphia to Marlton, NJ in 1969, then to Southampton, NJ in 1988. He took early retirement in 1989 at age 57 to travel with his wife, Aldona.

Larry was an active member of the Antler Gun Club in Shamong, NJ for over 50 years and enjoyed the outdoors and camaraderie with his fellow members, forming many lifelong friendships. He was a kind, generous and gregarious man who disliked the limelight but excelled in making others feel special. His favorite pastime was to "have a snort" and "hold court" with his family and friends. Many summer holiday weekends were celebrated playing halfball with his neighbors in Brush Hollow. He doted on his family, and enjoyed watching his 5 grandchildren grow up, teaching them how to drive and attending their weddings. He loved his 9 great-grandchildren, but admittedly "mixed up their names sometimes." He was in charge of breaking in and oiling baseball mitts for the entire family, finishing the final one in February. After Aldona's death in 1993, his stalwart companions were his German Shepards, Foxy II and Foxy III.

Larry was fiercely proud of his entire family's military service and was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain.

Larry was predeceased by his father, former PA state representative and later Philadelphia City Councilman Dr. Leon J. Kolankiewicz; his mother Helen, nee Lojewska; his wife of 37 years, Aldona, nee Stawuszewska; brothers Leon II, Thaddeus and Robert A; and his sister-in-law Pauline Kolankiewicz. He is survived by his son Lawrence "Larry" (Karen) of Southampton, NJ; his son James "Jimmy" (Nancy) of Atco, NJ; his daughter Nancy of Southampton; his daughter Barbara "Barb" of Mt. Laurel and sister-in-law Arlene, of State College PA; Grandchildren Lawrence "Larry" (Julie); Kristin Meile (Jeff); Karley Hartranft (Kyle); Victoria "Tori" and Seth (Erin Moore); Great grandchildren Elizabeth "Libby", John, and Andrew "Drew" Kolankiewicz; Graham and Jack Meile; Sophie and Penny Hartranft and Sage and Cinder Kolankiewicz; and many nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Larry's Life Celebration on Saturday, March 21 from 10-11 A.M. at St Joan of Arc Church, 100 Willow Bend Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11AM. Entombment will be private at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cem., Wrightstown, NJ. Arrangements under the care of Mathis Funeral Home. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to Medford VFW Post 7677, 317 Church Rd., Medford, NJ 08055.