Obituary of Francis J. Lais

Francis J. Lais, 91, of Crystal River, Florida, formerly of Amsterdam, NY, died Saturday January 27, 2007 at the Hospice House of Citrus County Florida. He was born in Amsterdam, NY on March 24, 1915 a son of Frederick and Eleanor Lais. He was a resident of Amsterdam and Michigan until moving to Florida in 1980. He was a member of St. Benedict?s Catholic Church in Crystal River, and was a Life member of the Disabled American Veteran and the American Legion Post #155. Mr. Lais served his country both in the U.S. Army and the New York State National Guard. He served during World War II in Europe and received many medals and commendations including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct and Soldiers Medal, the European-African Middle East Theatre Medal and the American Defense Service Medal. He was a plumber and Steamfitter by trade and belonged to the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #85 of Saginaw, MI and local #123 of Pinellas Park, Florida. Survivors include his wife, Norma Lais of Crystal River , Florida; two sisters, Betty Turkowski of Broadalbin, NY and Eleanor Natola of Johnstown, NY; a brother Harold Lais of Amsterdam, NY and a dear friend, Buddy Frank Grainger of Douglasville, GA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday February 3, 2007 at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church, Main St., Amsterdam, NY. Interment will be in St. Mary?s Cemetery, Ft. Johnson, NY. A Calling hour will be held on Saturday from 10:15A.M. to 11:15AM at the funeral home. Full Military Honors will be held at St. Mary?s Church following the Mass on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Citrus County Florida, the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer?s Disease and Related Disorders all c/o the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home.