Dr. Lawrence E. Porcelli

Dr. Lawrence Emil Porcelli

Troy Dr. Lawrence Emil Porcelli of Troy, N.Y. passed away in the loving presence of his family, friends and clergy listening to the words of our Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2003 after a courageous four and one-half year battle with cancer.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Joan LaFrenier Porcelli, with whom he shared a rich, colorful and active life of forty-eight years. Their life together was an adventure in Christ that blessed them with many surviving family and friends. Lawrence was the guiding light of his son Stephen Lawrence Porcelli and his wife Tara Jo Porcelli; and his daughter, Lisa Joan Porcelli and her husband Lester Kiehn. He was a Grandpa who could fix any broken toy, play any game or heal any hurt to his two grandchildren Nolan Robert Porcelli and Hannah Grayce Porcelli. He was an uncle to Allan Francis Maloney and Diane Maloney Parks and a grand uncle to Brendan Parks.

Lawrence is predeceased by a proud and honorable Italian American family including his father, Emilio Delio Porcelli, his mother, Vincenza Centrella Porcelli and his sister Phyllis Porcelli Maloney.

Lawrence lived a selfless life dedicated to learning and living for others from a young age until his final hours. He attended School Two in Troy and was graduated from the eighth grade of St. Patrick's School. He was graduated from LaSalle Institute in 1948 as a Cadet Major and a member of the Honor Society. Aware of the potential good he could do for family, friends and neighbors in the community, Lawrence set out to become a Physician upon entering Union College in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Union College in 1952. He then received a Masters in Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1953. He attended Medical School at the State University of New York College of Medicine in Syracuse; receiving his Doctor of Medicine in 1957. He completed his Residency in General Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1958.

Lawrence first used his skills in the healing arts to serve his country following the Korean War. From 1958 to 1960 he served in the United States Army as a Captain. He spent one year in Korea in a M.A.S.H. unit and received an honorable discharge in 1960.

He dedicated himself to comforting and healing thousands of fellow Trojans as a Practioner of Family Medicine for forty years in Troy. Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice from 1972 until retirement, Dr. Porcelli began his practice in Troy in 1960 as a New York State licensed Family Practioner. He was a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the University of the State of New York, Department of Education. His service came in many forms to people in this community for whom he cared deeply. He was formerly on the medical staff of St. Mary's Hospital. He served on the medical staff of Samaritan Hospital throughout his career. He was past Chief of Family Practice and past Chief of the Medical Staff at Samaritan Hospital. He was a member of the American Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society and the Rensselaer County Medical Society. Dr. Porcelli also served as Staff Physician of the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility in Troy for many years.

Dr. Porcelli believed in the blessings of education on the young people of Troy and Rensselaer County. He was the past School Physician for the Troy School District, Wynantskill School District, LaSalle Institute, Emma Willard School and St. Jude the Apostle School. He continued to serve as the Staff Physician for Hudson Valley Community College until January of this year.

A native Trojan, Lawrence lived most of his life in Troy. He was a communicant of Christ Son of Justice Catholic Church. His unbridled faith gave him courage that drew so many to him. He believed in his mission on this earth and through God's providence offered himself to serve and educate. In the 1960s and 1970s he conducted local church presentations on the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ from a Medical Doctor's perspective. He served on the St. Jude's School Board at a time of great development for the school. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Wynantskill and an active alumnus of LaSalle Institute.

Lawrence pursued many passions driven by his appreciation for life. He traveled often. Alongside his wife he visited every continent of the earth and appreciated the majesty of each culture. Music was an essential part of his life. He studied piano at a very young age and graduated from the Troy Conservatory of Music. He played in a professional orchestra in the 1950s called the "Solid Senders." As an adult he became a member of Troy Chromatics. He loved classical and jazz music and led many family musical gatherings with the gift he was given to play the piano. He was an amateur photographer, a golfer and a skier. Those who shared his passions in life benefited from experiencing them with him.

The family wishes to share its sincere appreciation with the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for their loving and compassionate care to Lawrence in his final days. For so long Lawrence cared for others and in the last days of his life Community Hospice cared for him.

Relatives and Friends are invited to join the family at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. corner of Pawling at Maple Avenues Troy on Thursday, May 8, 2003 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral service will be held Friday at 1:00pm at the funeral home and a Christian Mass Celebration of New Life will be held at 1:30pm at Christ Son of Justice Church at the RPI Chapel and Cultural Center on Burdett Avenue in Troy, N.Y.

Memorial Scholarship Funds have been established at LaSalle Institute and Hudson Valley Community College in the name of Dr. Lawrence Emil Porcelli for students planning to pursue education in the medical profession. In lieu of flowers and for those wishing to remember Dr. Porcelli in a special way, the family has requested that you send contributions to LaSalle Institute, Williams Road, Troy, N.Y. 12180 or Hudson Valley Community College, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy, N.Y. 12180.

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