Obituary of Carl T. Lawendowski

Carl T. Lawendowski 1930 – 2017 Whitesboro Carl T. Lawendowski of Whitesboro passed on to his eternal reward on July 1, 2017 after a rewarding and blessed life of 86 years. Carl was born on December 22, 1930 and raised in West Utica, the son of Stanley and Bertha Cieslak Lawendowski, and attended local schools there. During his teen years in the 40's he played the accordion with the Frank Waszkiewicz (Wasmer) polka band. During those years he also played left field for the Lincoln Chiefs baseball team that had the honorable distinction of playing for the Class B Kiwanis State Championship at the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field in 1946. Upon graduation from Utica Free Academy at age 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was especially proud of his service to his country with the 1st Marine Brigade and Division during the Korean War. During this conflict he earned several honors while serving as an infantryman and intelligence scout, cherishing most a Navy - Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" that was awarded to him by his Division Commanding General for exemplary actions against the enemy during the infamous Chosin Reservoir Campaign. Prior to his separation from the Marine Corps in 1952, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Isabelle Nowak. They were subsequently blessed with over 65 years of holy matrimony and two devoted children, Gary and Linda. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Carl joined the Apprentice Training Drafting Program at the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY. After graduating as a Detail Draftsman, he attended Utica College and was subsequently employed as a Design Draftsman, Supervisor and Manager by the General Electric Company, Mohawk Data Sciences Corporation, International Computers Limited and T & M Technical Services. He retired in 1993. During his retirement years he enjoyed traveling with his beloved partner, Isabelle, especially to annual Marine Corps reunions with his former comrades-in-arms. During the winter months he preferred to travel to the milder climates of Florida and South Carolina where he enjoyed the sun and sea and the game of golf. During the other seasons he found his pleasures being with family and friends at his camp on Brantingham Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, or playing golf with friends he grew up with. He also enjoyed immensely the friendship and camaraderie associated with fishing the waters of New York State and Canada with his cousins, the Roback's. He was a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, the 1st Marine Division Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7393. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 1376 as well as the international veterans organization entitled "The Chosin Few", a group of combat veterans from all U.S. forces and England that fought together in the epic United Nations battle of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea during the winter of 1950. Carl was of the Catholic faith and practiced his religion devoutly at his home parish of St. Anne's in Whitesboro (currently St. Paul's), St. Mary's in Glenfield and San Marco on Marco Island, Florida. Besides his wife, Isabelle, survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Monica Lawendowski, Whitesboro, his daughter, Linda Manfredo, Clark Mills, and his four loving grandchildren, Melissa ("you're the best friend I ever had, Grandpa") and Dominick ("Yampa") Manfredo and Lindsey and Evan ("I love you, Grandpa") Lawendowski. Also surviving are nephews Joe ("Butch") and Richard ("Rick") Lawendowski, and Richard Furmanski, niece Traci Cherubin, and numerous cousins. Besides his parent's, Stanley and Bertha, he was pre-deceased by his brother Joe in 2001. Friends and relatives are invited to pay their last respects at the Kowalczyk Funeral Home, 284 Main Street, New York Mills on Thursday, July 6, 2017, from 4 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 am on Friday July 7, 2017 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 16 Park Ave, Whitesboro. Interment will take place in Holy Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Carl's memory to the Marine Military Academy at Harlingen,Texas. Pre-addressed envelopes are available at the funeral home. Semper Fidelis. Light a Candle at: www.kowalczykfuneralhomes.com