Obituary
Penn Yan- Lawrence Wilson McMinn, 85, died Friday, April 8, 2016.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday (April 23rd) at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 514 East Swamp Rd., Penn Yan, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Branchport Fire House at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Modeste Bedient Memorial Library, 3699 Rte. 54A, Branchport, NY 14418; or to the Branchport-Keuka Park Fire Department, 3686 Rte. 54A, Branchport, NY 14418.
Born in Penn Yan, Lawrence was the son of the late Wilson McMinn and Margaret Alexander McMinn. He joined the Branchport Fire Department as soon as he turned 18, and remained a member of the Branchport-Keuka Park Fire Department. Lawrence was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Lawrence retired after 33 years service to NYSEG. After his retirement, Lawrence was known for pole digging and rafter setting with his orange “digger-derrick” truck, completing his last job just last August.
Lawrence’s lifelong passion was farming and horses. He had horses from the time he was a boy, until he was almost 80 years old. He and his team and wagon participated in many Branchport community events, and in area parades and club drives.
Lawrence is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beth Meyer McMinn; six children, Michele McMinn, Marlene (Steve) Fingar, Craig (Vanessa) McMinn, Chad McMinn, Kyle (Ellen) McMinn and Lanette (Timothy) Swarthout; “Dad” of Oscar and Polly Castaneda and their son, Oscar, Jr.; 7 grandchildren, Jillian (Drew Spencer) Fingar, Brent (Nitosha) Fingar, Benjamin McMinn, Kayla (Brandon DeHond) McMinn, Alex Swarthout, Parker McMinn and Margaret McMinn; two great-grandchildren, Teagan Fingar and Kalliope Fingar; one sister, Laurita (Joseph) Griffo, one brother, Bert (Donna) Alexander; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Meyer; and many friends and acquaintences.
Lawrence was predeceased by one sister, Mary Louise Wilber.