Lawrence I. Taber was a Korean War veteran who mastered many trades and who loved God and his family. He died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. He was 82.

“He was a fine gentleman — a good father and a hardworking man,” said his brother, Neil Taber, of Altamont. “He earned all he got out of life.”

Born on Feb. 4, 1933, in Berne, he was the son of the late Albertus and Edith (née Dill) Taber. Known to his friends and family as Larry, Mr. Taber lived for 48 years with his devoted wife, Patricia (née Weinberger) Taber in Niverville.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his years in the service, he was a stonemason, trained as a meat cutter, and later worked at Paulsen Lumber/Miron Co. as a master carpenter. He retired from carpentry and obtained a job in maintenance with Ichabod Crane School, which he held until he retired this year, just four months before his death.

“Larry stepped in as a surrogate dad for his two young sisters-in-law, ages 7 and 9,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was a devoted husband and father. He loved God. Larry was a good man and will be sorely missed.”

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Lawrence I. Taber is survived by his wife, Patricia (Weinberger) Taber; his son, David; and his brothers, Neil Taber of Altamont and Earl Taber of Coxsackie.

His brothers — Bert, Lyle, Lloyd, and Robert — died before him as did his daughter, Sheri Lynn.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 11, at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home in Valatie with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer