Lawrence H. Taft Jr., of Barrington RI passed away Wednesday March 12th at Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the devoted and loving husband of fifty years of Florence (Towle) Taft. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Lawrence H. and Eudavilla (Macdonald) Taft, and brother of the late Dr. George H. Taft of Cranston, RI.
Lawrence was a Corporal in the USAAF 97th Bombardment Squadron during WWII from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He was the owner of Shelving Concepts, and a former member of the Providence Central Lions, Barrington Public Library board, St. Luke’s Church choir, and a 35 year Honorary Member of Providence Rotary.
Lawrence was a religious family man with a quick wit, who always had a way of making people smile. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter Laurel (Taft) Curran of Norton MA, son Michael L. Taft of Warren RI, son Timothy P. Taft (wife Kaleen) of Putnam CT, Marie (Antonevich) Langlois of Pawtucket RI, Karl Antonevich (wife Kyle) of Bristol RI, Debra Antonevich of Riverside RI, Duane Antonevich (wife Tonya) of Charleston SC, Bethany Antonevich of Barrington RI, 15 grandchildren and, 18 great grandchildren.
A funeral for Lawrence was held on Tuesday at 9 AM from the Smith-Mason Funeral Home 398 Willett Avenue, Riverside with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Luke’s Church, Washington Road, Barrington. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Meals on Wheels, 70 Bath Street, Providence, RI 02908 or RI Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809.
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