WESTFIELD – Lawrence A. Morin, longtime resident of Westfield, died August 11, 2012 at the Governor’s Center in Westfield after a long period of failing health. Lawrence was born January 6, 1925 in Westfield to Arthur and Alice (Rainault) Morin.After graduating Valedictorian of Good Will-Hinkley High School (Maine) in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S.Army Air Corps, where he was assigned to the 484th Bomber Squadron, and stationed on Tinian Island in the Marianas. Staff Sergeant Morin served as Belly Gunner aboard the “She Hasta,” a long range B-29 Bomber assigned to the Air Offensive over Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Columbia University in New York City, studying Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.
Rather than exercise his option to continue studies at MIT, he entered the workforce, eventually specializing in computer systems planning and hardware layout at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, where he remained until retiring early in 1984. The skills and knowledge he took from Columbia were useful while he made his contribution in the pioneer days in early Amdahl and IBM computer systems and operations.
A talented and enthusiastic athlete and sportsman, Larry once threw a perfect “300” game, a 3 game series of 853, and was known as one of the area’s best ten pin bowlers for many years. Golf was another of his talents, and he would rarely miss a chance to fish the local lakes for trout. Yet, given the choice, poker would be first in line. He was known to all of his many friends and opponents as enthusiastic, competitive, and eager for a challenge.
Lawrence will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Janice (nee Williams) Morin; their children, Laurie Morin and her partner Denise D’Amour of North Beach, MD, Rob Morin and his wife, Lynn of W. Townsend, MA and Paul Morin and his wife Dorien, of Myrtle Beach, SC and their children (his grandchildren), Willem, Marquel, Johan, Janneke, and Andries Morin. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret and her husband, Fred Ehle, of Lenox, Mass, and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends. His brother and close friend, Donald Morin of Westfield, died in 2006.
The family would like to thank the many members of the Wyben Union Church for their extraordinary support, unselfish assistance, comforting words, and gifts of humor, prayer, song and friendship.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 16 at 12:00 p.m. at the Wyben Union Church, 678 Montgomery Road, Westfield, MA 01085.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s memory to the Murphy-Avis Respite Fund, 120 Chestnut Street, Longmeadow, MA 01028 or the Westfield Food Pantry, 101 Meadow Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
The Robert E. Cusack Funeral Home, Westfield is assisting the family with the arrangements.
