Lawrence F. Liess Jr.

Oneida-Lawrence F. “Larry” Liess Jr., 75, passed away on Saturday September 24, 2022, at the VA Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. 

He was born November 30, 1946, the son of the late Lawrence F. Liess Sr. and Blanche E. Williams. Larry proudly served in the Air Force having served tours in Thailand and Vietnam. Upon returning home, Larry worked as a tractor-trailer driver under the handle “Lil’ Squire”. He had worked for various trucking companies in his lifetime. Some of his fondest memories are when he drove doubles for Pacific Intermountain Express Company, known as PIE. He was twice awarded with “The Million Mile” safe driver award. Larry enjoyed helping out his good friend John Wagner, at Wagner’s Auto Parts. Larry was a member of the former Moose Lodge and a member of the American Legion. On December 20, 1979, Larry was united in marriage to Karen McAuliffe. Their loving union lasted 39 years, until Karen’s passing in 2018. In 2006, along with his son, Larry III, they opened City Motors Garage located on Madison Street. He was a regular Flo’s Diner and The Corner Diner grabbing a cup of coffee. Larry made sure to spend Sunday mornings at breakfast with his family with a pocket full of quarters for his grandchildren and his very special niece, Lisa. No matter what was happening in Larry’s life, he made sure that his family was the “center” of his world. 

Larry is survived by his three children, Mary Kay (Scott Sr.) Waldron of Williamstown, Melanie (Andy Linstruth) Liess of Canastota and Lawrence III (Amy Neumann) Liess of Oneida; his brother Burt Liess of Newville, PA; his sister Elizabeth(Scott) Butler of Oneida Castle; grandchildren Scotty, Josh, Abby, Henley, Lorelei, Makayla; and one great-grandchild Jesse. He was predeceased by his parents Larry Sr. and Blanche; his beloved wife, Karen; his sister Blanche “Sis” Bednar; and his sister-in-law Tricia Liess. 

A celebration of Larry’s life is planned for November 19th, 2022 from 12 pm- 4pm at the Oneida American Legion (398 N Main St Oneida NY) for friends and family to gather. A special thank you to the medical staff on floor 6C. Larry and his family are under the personal care of Jeffrey T. Paul, Director at the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home. To offer a condolence or share a message, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lawrence F. Liess Jr., please visit our floral store.