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Obituary Notice – Rev. Lawrence Arthur Schuster

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SchusterLDUNKIRK:  Rev. Lawrence Arthur Schuster, 89, of Van Buren Bay, Dunkirk, died Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 at Chautauqua Nursing & Rehab Center, Dunkirk, following a lengthy illness.  He was born in Chicago, IL on May 9, 1927, the son of the late Lawrence Philip and Helen Agnus (Schimel) Schuster.

He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950, with a BS in Electrical Engineering and graduated from Berkley Divinity School at Yale in 1960 with a Master’s in Divinity.  He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and worked as an Electrical Engineer for General Electric in Schenectady until 1957.  Mr. Schuster was Ordained as a Deacon, then as an Episcopalian Priest in December 1960, by Bishop Frederick Barry, from the Diocese of Albany.  He was an Associate Priest for Bethesda Episcopal Church, Saratoga Springs from 1960-1963 and Priest for Trinity Episcopal Church, Fredonia from 1963-1995.  After retirement, he was a substitute Priest for a few area parishes and Priest at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Dunkirk.  Besides his dedication to his parishes, he was most proud of his ministry to the community and to those who did not have a formal church of their own.  He was an active Chaplain for Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk and SUNY at Fredonia.  Rev. Schuster championed local support groups for families suffering with AIDS, substance abuse, performed numerous same sex marriages and lakeside baptisms.  He enjoyed doing antique restoration, woodworking, fishing, gardening and loved playing tennis.

Survivors include three daughters, Jane (Joseph) Falcone, of Silver Creek; Sarah (Jeffery) Morrison, of Atlanta, GA; Clare (Mark) Hartigan, of Atlanta, GA; three sons Philip (Michael Fressola) Schuster, of Brooklyn; Thomas (Jamie) Schuster, of Huntsville, AL; and Peter (Sandra) Schuster, of Cumming, GA. Also surviving are his loving companion Martha Burroughs of Van Buren Bay & Pittsburgh, 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.  Besides his parents he was predeceased by Mary Patricia Reynolds Schuster and a sister Irene Krajic.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday morning, March 25th from Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Day Street, Fredonia, at 10:30 am with Rt. Rev. William Franklin, Bishop of WNY and Rev. Helen Sam, officiating.  A reception with the family will follow in the parish hall.  The family suggests memorials may be made either to amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor New York, NY 10005-3902 or to Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Day Street, Fredonia, NY 14063 or to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 16 West 4th Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048. Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville.  To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.

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4 Comments

  • Kevin Fox
    Posted March 9, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Jane and Joe –
    My thoughts are with you – loss of a parent is always a painful milestone. Remember the happy moments – you dad would prefer to see you laughing.
    Love Kevin

  • Ann Janik
    Posted March 10, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Dear Marcy,
    Tom and I are so sorry to hear about Larry, and hope that knowing that you are in our thoughts and prayers will bring some comfort to you. Our most sincere condolences.

  • Ron Nasca
    Posted March 10, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Marcy,
    I am so very sorry for your loss.
    Ron

  • Ann Janik
    Posted March 21, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Dear Marcy,
    I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing, and am keeping you and his family in my thoughts and prayers. My sincere condolences.

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