Rev. Lawrence Arthur Schuster

He was born in Chicago, IL on May 9, 1927, the son of the late Lawrence Philip and Helen Agnus (Schimel) Schuster.

He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and graduated from Berkley Divinity School at Yale in 1960 with a Master’s in Divinity. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and worked as an Electrical Engineer for General Electric in Schenectady until 1957. Mr. Schuster was ordained as a Deacon, then as an Episcopalian Priest in December 1960, by Bishop Frederick Barry, from the Diocese of Albany. He was an Associate Priest for Bethesda Episcopal Church, Saratoga Springs from 1960-1963 and Priest for Trinity Episcopal Church, Fredonia from 1963-1995. After retirement, he was a substitute Priest for a few area parishes and Priest at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Dunkirk.

Besides his dedication to his parishes, he was most proud of his ministry to the community and to those who did not have a formal church of their own. He was an active Chaplain for Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk and SUNY Fredonia. Rev. Schuster championed local support groups for families suffering with AIDS, substance abuse, performed numerous same-sex marriages and lakeside baptisms. He enjoyed doing antique restoration, woodworking, fishing, gardening and loved playing tennis.

Survivors include three daughters, Jane (Joseph) Falcone, of Silver Creek; Sarah (Jeffery) Morrison, of Atlanta, GA; Clare (Mark) Hartigan, of Atlanta, GA; three sons, Philip (Michael Fressola) Schuster, of Brooklyn; Thomas (Jamie) Schuster, of Huntsville, AL; and Peter (Sandra) Schuster, of Cumming, GA. Also surviving are his loving companion, Martha Burroughs of Van Buren Bay and Pittsburgh, 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by Mary Patricia Reynolds Schuster and a sister, Irene Krajic.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday morning, March 25 from Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Day Street, Fredonia, at 10:30 a.m. with Rt. Rev. William Franklin, Bishop of WNY, and Rev. Helen Sam officiating. A reception with the family will follow in the parish hall. The family suggests memorials may be made either to amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902; Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Day Street, Fredonia, NY 14063; or to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 16 West 4th Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048.

Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.