Obituary of Lawrence J. Dawes

Lawrence John Dawes, age 76, beloved husband of Julie Vannucci Dawes, died peacefully on July 26, 2023, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.  Born in Bridgeport on August 27, 1946, he was the son of the late John Baptist and Annie Strachan Arone.  Mr. Dawes was raised in Bridgeport and was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart, among other medals.  Following his service to our nation, Mr. Dawes relocated to Virginia and worked as an airplane mechanic and painter for 11 years.  He then moved to Illinois and worked as a forklift mechanic for 11 years, before returning to CT and residing in Ansonia for the last 32 years.  Larry put his mechanical ability to good use while working as the maintenance supervisor for Florence Virtue Homes of New Haven for 15 years, until the time of his retirement.  Mr. Dawes enjoyed watching old western movies as well as Hogan’s Heroes and Star Trek re-runs.  He was an avid coin collector, a model railroader and built and flew his own model airplanes and helicopters.  Larry was a 3rd Degree Mason and was proud of his Scottish Heritage.  In addition to his wife of 20 years, he is survived by his devoted daughters, Laurie Ross and her husband, Mark of North Haven and Sara Kimberly Dawes of Oxford; sisters, Ellen Searles and her husband, Daniel of West Haven and Sharon Corrveau and her husband, William of Milford; brothers, John Arone and his wife, Wendy of Seymour and Robert Dawes of Ansonia; cherished grandchildren, Skyla and Sierra Ross of North Haven and Evan, Emily and Logan Davies of Oxford; his former spouse, Sara Ellen Dawes of West Haven; as well as several nieces and nephews.  Larry was predeceased by a sister, Florence Arone. Family and friends may call at the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia, on Saturday, August 12, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM.  Funeral Services will follow at 6:30 PM with a Masonic Ritual and Military Honors.  Interment will be private.  Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.