Obituary for Laurence “Red” H. Witte Laurence “Red” Witte, 92, passed peacefully into our Lord’s arms from his family home on June 7, 2018. He was born on August 24, 1925 in Utica, New York, the son of Joseph and Agnes (Wameling) Witte. Red was the youngest of three children.
His sister, Sr. Mary Catherine, Daughter of Charity, died in 2015 and his brother, Joseph, died tragically in a swimming accident in 1954. Red was a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and was no stranger to area sports fans. He excelled in baseball and basketball.
At one time he participated in spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies. Red played on many local and semi-professional travelling basketball teams, including the South Utica Post Celtics. On August 8, 1953, Red married Agnes Shamy in Blessed Sacrament Church.
They enjoyed a blessed and happy union for 57 years, raised six children together in the Catholic faith, and he attended daily mass for most of his life. Red was a hardworking man of integrity and a great role model for his six children and 15 grandchildren. He was modest and unselfish, thoughtful, and grateful for all the joys of his life.
Red and Agnes shared many happy years travelling to their winter home in Ormond Beach, Florida and enjoyed reconnecting with old high school friends and acquaintances. Red enlisted in the United States Marines at age 17 and was stationed in China during World War II. After the war he was employed by International Heater as a shop foreman and served as the local union president.
In 1955, he took over as owner operator of Shamy’s Juvenile Shoes in downtown Utica and later in New Hartford. He worked with his sister-in-law, Rose Shamy, to offer quality foot care to many area families over four decades. He was a great fan of Ted Williams and the Boston Red Sox, the Dallas Cowboys, and especially loved the Boston Celtics.
He never missed his children’s sporting events and spent countless hours, on cold winter nights, watering the self-made ice skating rink that entertained the neighborhood. In later years, his greatest pride and joy was being with his children and grandchildren on holidays and special occasions. After Agnes’ passing in 2010, Red was extremely fortunate to share his remaining years with another wonderful woman, Donna Stuhlman.
They shared a loving relationship that brought much happiness. Red was so thankful for Donna and said many times that the Good Lord brought them together. Donna’s devotion to him was evident to the very end.
Surviving are his children, Joseph (Karin) Witte, Loudonville; Laurene (Nicholas) Porillo, Liverpool; Michael (Valerie) Witte, New Hartford; Laurence (Pamela) Witte, Baldwinsville; Paul Witte, Liverpool; and Christine (Dennis) Rabideau, Deerfield; grandchildren, Justin (Deanna) Witte, Joa (Woody) Riboul and Fallon (Justin) Marini; Matthew and Meghan Porillo; Rachael, Jordan and Christian (Shaniece) Witte; Morgan and Brandon (Meghan) Witte; Alexa, Nicole and Brooke Witte; and Rebecca and Ryan Rabideau; great grandson, Jayden Riboul; and special companion, Donna Stuhlman. Also surviving is brother-in-law, James Ehlinger; niece, Joyce Angerosa; and nephews, John and James Ehlinger. Relatives and friends may call Sunday from 1-4 pm at McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Road, Utica.
Funeral services will be Monday at 8 AM from the funeral home and 9 AM from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Utica. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Red’s name may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., or the American Cancer Society.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the private home health aides for their exceptional care during h To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Laurence “Red” H. Witte please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUN 10.
01:00 PM – 04:00 PM McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn Funeral Directors 470 French Road Utica, NY, US, 13502 www. nunnandmcgrath.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Laurence “Red”‘s Visitation begins. Funeral Mass 2018 JUN 11.
09:00 AM Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 2 Barton Ave Utica, NY, US, 13502 Order Flowers for the Funeral Mass Guaranteed delivery before Laurence “Red”‘s Funeral Mass begins.
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