Obituary of Lewis R. Firley

Lewis R. Firley, 81, of Fayetteville, passed away Saturday at the VA Community Living Center, with his loving family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Harriet Firley; his sister, Geraldine Stanziano; brother, David Firley; brothers-in-law, Ralph Stanziano and Frank Cartini; and niece, Barbara Stanziano. He is survived by his wife, Dory (Sagarella) Firley; his two daughters, Stephanie (Brian) DeJoseph and Leslie (Matt) Malinowski; a sister, Virginia Cartini; sister-in-law, Alice Firley; four grandchildren, Gina, Christina and Elizabeth DeJoseph and Matt Malinowski; and several nieces and nephews. He was a lifelong resident of Syracuse, a graduate of St. Vincent De Paul High School and attended University College. Lew, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served in the Korean War and received a Purple Heart for his valor. After the war, Lew returned to his former job as a rail worker for the U.S. Postal Service, where he ultimately rose to the position of the director of mail processing at the Taft Road facility. He retired in 1988 after 40 years of service. He enjoyed an active retirement and spent many hours tending to his award-worthy vegetable garden. A long-standing member of the Eastwood Golf League, he was fortunate to have played his beloved sport daily at his winter home in Viera, FL. Lew was a devoted family man whose wisdom, patience and fortitude will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home, with a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, 3111 James St. The family will be forever grateful to the staff at the VA for showing Lew their kind and attentive care over the past several months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Syracuse VA Community Living Center, Hospice. Mail to Syracuse VAMC, attn: Kathy Benedict, 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. Goddard-Crandall- Shepardson 463-4320