WEST LEBANON, NH — Lawrence Robert Wilsey, 98, a longtime resident of Ascutney, VT passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Franklin Regional Hospital. Laurie or Larry, as he was commonly called, was born March 23, 1921 in Claremont, NH to Julia Anna (Ball) and Robert James Wilsey. Larry graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont in 1941.

A WWII veteran, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 for 4 years. An Aviation Machinist Mate First Class, he was based in Newport, RI; Jacksonville, FL; Norfolk, VA; Argentina Bay, Newfoundland; Dunkeswell, England; and Boston, MA. Larry was at Dunkeswell, England during the Nazi bombing of London and other sites there. He worked mostly on airplane engines, but was also trained as a gunner. While still in the service, on leave, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Westney, on September 24, 1944, then returned to Edwards Air Force Base on Cape Cod.

After the war, Larry’s vocation was as a Precision Machinist, working in area shops such as Sullivan Machine (later called Joy) of Claremont, NH; Bryant Grinder Co. of Springfield, VT; and Cone Automatic Machine of Windsor, VT, from which he retired in 1982.

In his life, Larry has lived in Claremont, NH; Ascutney, VT; Orford, NH; and West Lebanon, NH. After retiring, he and Marjorie spent 18 years wintering in Ormond Beach, FL, then in 2006 settled permanently back in NH to be near family. Then after Marjorie’s death in 2014, he resided at the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH.

Known for his sly and impish sense of humor, Larry enjoyed doing funny pranks as a young boy and man. Throughout his life he enjoyed a wide variety of interests, including reading, swimming, short-wave radio, hunting, fishing, socializing with family, and woodworking (taught to him by his father) and even building the family’s home. He and Marjorie were active Grange members, Larry about 60 years and Marjorie 73 years. They were also members of Congregational churches wherever they lived.

Larry was blessed to have enjoyed very good health for most all of his life.

Larry is survived by his son, James (Yolanda) Wilsey of Mountainhouse, CA; daughter, Linda Woodes of West Lebanon, NH; grandchildren, Jenny (David) Smith of New Boston, NH, Gina (Stephan) Vogel of Alstead, NH, Carla (Sumner) Brown of Swanzey, NH, and Nycole Torres of Mountainhouse, CA; great-grandchildren, Rooster Smith, Chloe, Max, and Lydia Vogel, Hallie and Ethan Brown, and Makaila and Phillip Torres; and nieces, Julie Zarek and Mary Bell of Ellenton, FL, and Tharenni Jessie Morton of Rhodes, Greece.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Wilsey; parents, Robert and Anna Wilsey; and sisters, Lila Wilsey, Ethel Wilsey, Jessie Morton, and Dorothy Day.

Services are pending at this time.

To leave a message of condolence for Larry’s family please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.