Laurence W. Helweg

Poughkeepsie, New York - Laurence W. Helweg, Jr., age 83, passed away December 8, 2020 at Vassar Brothers Hospital, He was born August 19, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Laurence W. Helweg, Sr. and Elizabeth Miller-Helweg. After high school, he joined the US Navy, serving in the 4h Naval District as a radarman from September, 1954 to July, 1958 during wartime. He served on the USS Willis and ended his duty serving on the USS Smalley.

After his service, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he met and married Margaret Rita Conneely, his Galway Girl, the love of his life on February 25, 1958, which began a journey of many adventures and beautiful memories that, in his own words 'was a wonderful and blessed life'.

His post-war career started with work at RCA, assisting in space satellite technology and moved onto becoming a vacuum engineer specialist for IBM, eventually becoming a major influence in producing and teaching in the vacuum technology field. He later would create the Hi-Vacuum Technology teaching material that influenced the advancement of education that is still used today.

Larry was a great story teller, avid reader, lover of bluegrass, was an amateur ham radio fan, loved to sing karaoke, as well as a charismatic and inspiring teacher, and of course, a great lover of life.

He is predeceased by his wife, Margaret and his son, Daniel. He is survived by Laurence W. Helweg, III, Sean Paul and his wife, Gail, grandchildren Tiffinie her husband, Timothy Sesko, Sean Paul Jr., Michael James, granddaughter Sarah Anne, Margaret 'Mawky' and her husband Alfred Nowak, Siobhan Valena and her husband Joseph Horboychuk Sr., grandsons Joseph Jr. and Shane Horboychuk, Deirdre Ann and James DeVico Sr., grandson Brogan DeVico. He was also blessed with his five great-grandchildren, Savannah, Tehya, Ethan, Daniel and Brannah. He leaves behind his two loving sisters, Mary Anne and Marty, nieces and nephew, Penny, Beth and Earl who survives him as well.

His final wishes were that his ashes be brought to Galway, Eire to be cast in Galway Bay just as his wife Margaret and his son Danny.

We will be celebrating his life with a ceremony in the spring of 2020 and the date is yet to be determined. Unfortunately, it's heartbreaking for us to not be able to celebrate Dad's passing as we would want due to the unfortunate pandemic we all find ourselves struggling with today and each and everyone of us appreciate and hold dear all of your sympathy and heart-felt wishes and condolences. He will be missed so very much by all of us. Love to you all. God bless and stay safe.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12603.

If you would like to leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal from Dec. 13 to Dec. 14, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Laurence Helweg

Sponsored by Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc..

4 Entries

John Lippolis

December 31, 2020

I am sorry to hear of Larry's passing. Larry was a great friend and teacher, and had many truly interesting stories and experiences. A very intelligent man who I will never forget. My condolences to the Helweg family. May God be with you.

John Cole

December 14, 2020

Margaret sorry to hear of the passing,you will be in my prayers

Brian Terralavoro

December 14, 2020

I had the honor and privilege of being a student and then working with Larry at IBM for many years. He was a very intelligent and funny man. My sincere condolences to Larry's family and friends. Rest in Peace sir...

Arthur Grace

December 14, 2020

To the Helweg Family,
I had the pleasure of working with Larry at IBM for a number of years.
He was always a pleasure to work with, and he certainly did have stories.
We traveled on company trips a few times, and Larry always impressed the companies we visited.
He would also make sure the evening "meetings" were full of laughter and good companionship.
One of my best memories was a trip to Boston. We always stayed midtown, and went to the downtown restaurants after work.
Larry wanted to see Bunker Hill, and it was a beautiful day...so I suggested we WALK there instead of using the T.
Larry was not an avid walker, but he agreed to do it. We made the walk, climbed the monument, and then walked to the Bay.
The next day, we always took a cab or the T.
He was a great man, an amazing expert in his field, and always a pleasure to be around.
I am so sorry for your loss, and will remember Larry forever.

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