Francis W. Laub

Francis Winfield Laub, a lifelong resident of Travis, passed away at home on April 16, 2017. Visitation is today, Tuesday, April 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, April 19, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at Casey Funeral Home. Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony's of Padua, 4015 Victory Blvd. Interment is in St. Peter's Cemetery. Born in Travis on Feb. 13, 1920, Francis enjoyed working on Staten Island farms as a youth. He was an honorably discharged veteran of World War II, having served as a coxswain in the U.S. Coast Guard, participating in the invasion of Normandy and Southern France, and the campaigns in the Pacific theater involving Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Francis married Catherine McGhee (nee Gault), a native of Scotland, on Sept. 30, 1950. He enjoyed a 43-year career at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, was an officer of the Communications Managers Association of New York, and was a moderator for the International Communications Association. He retired in 1982 as a communications engineer, and worked at the Courts of Appeal from 1982 to 1990. As a young man, Francis played baseball on the St. Anthony's team. He was a member of the VFW- Blazing Star Post; the American Legion Gold Star Post No. 1365, the U.S.S. Bayfield Veterans Group, and the Holy Name Society. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, and music. Francis was predeceased by his parents, Francis H. and Rhoda (nee Ingalls); wife, Catherine (1999); daughter, Maryanne C. Laub (1977); and siblings, Marie Bohanek, Charles Laub, and Lawrence Laub. He is survived by his children, Kathleen M. Ryan (Michael), Margaret M. Laub (Jack Governale), Patricia M. Laub, Elizabeth M. D'Elia (Paul), Francis W. Laub (Janet Kelly Laub); seven grandchildren, Melissa Drake, Emily Governale, Adam Governale, Stefani Laub, Jennifer Laub, Matthew Laub, Catherine Laub; and a sister, Virginia Corrente. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Anthony of Padua building fund.