Obituary of Reece W. Larson

Reece W. Larson, a resident of Frewsburg Rest Home, formerly of Celoron, passed away at WCA Hospital on April 9, 2010 at the age of 93. Born on June 23, 1916 in Kittanning, Pa., he spent his youth in Brockway, Pa., moving to Lakewood, N.Y. in 1931. He was the salutatorian of his high school class, graduating from Lakewood High School in 1934. Mr. Larson was employed by MRC Bearings for 43 years, retiring in 1977. During World War II, he was a member of the engineering/manufacturing team at MRC that helped develop and perfect the Norden Bomb Sight. He held various positions and at retirement was Supervisor of Production Control at the Jamestown plant. He was a member of the American Society of Tool Engineers and Tri-State Statistical Quality Control Society. He was also a life time member of the NRA. A long time member of Gloria Dei Luther Church in Lakewood, N.Y., he served for 12 years on the Church Council, as church treasurer and was active in the Senior Group. He helped organize the South and Center Sewer District Concerned Citizens, which he served as treasurer. He also served on the Board of Directors of the South and Center Sewer District and as Mayor of Celoron. Mr. Larson was very well read and maintained and enjoyed an extensive library. Beginning in the 1930s and throughout the rest of his life, he had a keen interest in archaeology. His collection of Indian artifacts from various digs in the area numbers over 5300 items. A small and big game hunter, he pursued this activity for over 60 years. One of his primary loves, besides family, was his camp, located near Onoville, NY, which he designed and helped build. He not only built black-powder rifles but also crafted buckskin clothes, hunting bags, knives and sheaths to accompany them and used them in his hunting activities. After retiring from MRC, he started and ran a book binding business in his 70s and 80s, binding all the books by hand. Mr. Larson was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Winifred Johnson Larson, who passed away on April 10, 2001. He is survived by his son, Daniel Larson and wife, Norma, of Celoron; daughter, Sylvia Stenander and husband, Larry, of Jamestown; three grandchildren: Matthew Stenander, Cherie O'Toole and Christopher Larson, and one great granddaughter. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lakewood, N.Y. or a charity of choice.