Larry Siepietowski

Lawrence (Larry) E. Siepietowski, 95, died peacefully on Christmas Eve, 2019. He was a proud WWll veteran, serving in the Army 60th Signal Corp. Through the GI Bill, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering at Penn State College. He also met his future wife and the love of his life, Elinor, at Penn State. Larry went on to work for RCA in the department of Equipment and Design for over 30 years, helping to design the laser and the first color television tube, also earning a Masters in Physics from Franklin and Marshall College. Along the way, the couple was blessed with 3 children - Michael, Susan, and Diane - and as a family shared many good times and family vacations together. Love for his family ran deep as he selflessly took wonderful care of his wife throughout her extended, debilitating illness with MS until her death....despite having a very demanding job and three rambunctious children to also care for. In addition to his love for his family was his love for dancing the polka and his Polish heritage, playing his trumpet, watching the “Lawrence Welk Show”, and his kitty, Ali. Polka dancing was just part of being Polish, and he was always a sought-after and popular partner at Polka dances which he continued to attend regularly well into his mid-70's. He started playing the trumpet in 4th grade, continued with Rohrerstown Band as an adult for decades, played for about 3 years with the Lakeland Concert band, and continued playing up to his death. Saturday nights were always extra special as Larry eagerly anticipated his much-loved “Lawrence Welk Show”, where he could enjoy both Big Band music and lots of polka dancing. Larry was a devout Catholic all his life, walking to and from church alone as a young boy in W. Hazleton, PA and attending mass weekly without fail as long as he was physically able. He was a gentle and humble man with a quirky sense of humor who enjoyed being around people, who genuinely cared for others, who asked for very little for himself...a “cup half-full” kind of guy, always with a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye, and a song in his heart. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be sorely missed. A memorial mass will be conducted Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 1 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Florida Philharmonia Orchestra, PO Box 2142, Lakeland, FL 33806 in memory of Lawrence Siepietowski."

Larry Siepietowski

June 21, 1924 - December 24, 2019