Lawrence H. Tefft, Jr. (Larry,) 89, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, 2021. Larry was born on Feb. 5, 1932, in Manchester, N.H., to Lawrence and Grace Tefft.
Larry grew up in New Bedford MA where he enlisted in the Navy and in 1956 was discharged as a Machinery Repairman First Class. After the Navy he graduated from the New Bedford Institute of Technology (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Throughout Larry’s life his mechanical engineering degree brought him to Allis Charmers Nuclear, Westinghouse Nuclear and finally the Carrier Corporation until his retirement in 1993. Larry believed in hard work, attention to detail and the satisfaction of a job well done. After retirement he used these same skills as a respected member of the board of directors at Vista Del Lago in Stuart, FL.
Larry was an accomplished golfer and had a passion for fishing. His other lifetime interests included being a Yankees, Green Bay Packers and avid Syracuse University basketball fan. Larry was grateful for his family, a man who spoke with a gentle, guiding wisdom and encouragement.
Larry is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Kathy and Julie Tefft, three grandsons, Kyle, Evan and John Phillips and his brother Charles Tefft. At the family’s request, services will be private, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or the Food Bank of Central NY, 7066 Interstate Island Rd., Syracuse, NY 13209.
