Obituary

Charles E. Laurin, Sr. 84, of Upper Yoder Township, died at 12:35 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2012, in the Lifecare Hospital of Wilkinsburg, Pa. after a battle with throat cancer.

He was born on November 3, 1927 in Utica, New York, son of Leonard “Lefty” M. and Beulah “Billy” (McComb) Laurin.
He was preceded in death by wife, Rita (Cappel) Laurin, parents, uncle, John Laurin, friend, Curtis Hamel, and long-time companion, Dorothy L. Bench.

Before retiring, he was an insurance salesman with the Adams Insurance Agency. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Technician, Fifth Grade. After his service, he was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, where he kept record of meetings. He was also a member of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and a member of St. Thomas More University Parish in Indiana, Pa.

Survived by four children, Miranda Smith, married to Clifford Smith, Merritt Island, FL; Charles E. Laurin, Jr., married to Debra Laurin, Mentor, OH; Mark Laurin, and Renee (Laurin) Cameron, both of Erie, Pa. Also survived by grandchildren Douglas J. Bench, whom he raised as his own, Heather Castor, Clint Smith, Michelle (Laurin) Antonini, Jeremy Laurin, Casey Laurin, Johnathan Laurin, Sean Gurley, and Darren Gurley. Great-grandchildren, Robert Castor, Rebecca Castor, Johnathan Castor, and Dixie Marie Smith.

Friends will be received from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 146 Chandler Ave.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Therese Catholic Church., Fr. Francis Balestino will officiate. Committal services will follow at Benshoff Hill Cemetery with graveside military rites by the VFW Menoher Post 155 Ritual Team.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, www.eyeandear.org, 203 Lothrop Street, S119-BST, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261. Please note “H/N cancer” on donations. Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.”