Larry Edward Zeigler

Boonville- Larry Edward Zeigler, 75, of State Rt. 294, and husband of the late Cynthia Zeigler, passed away suddenly at his residence on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Larry was born in Boonville, on September 7, 1949, a son of Ervin and Louise Hess Zeigler and spent his entire life in Boonville, a place he was proud to call home.

As a young teenager, Larry was employed at Sno-Top Bottling works and on various area farms. Upon his graduation from Boonville Central High School, with the Class of 1967, he began his employment with Eastern Rock Products Co., in July, 1967, a career which spanned for over 42 years. Larry was a person who possessed a strong work ethic and he was proud of his long career with Eastern Rock, retiring from Hanson Aggregates in 2009, after greatly enjoying his position of foreman and heavy equipment operator. After retirement, Larry began his own handyman business, and was also employed by Rob Andrews of Boonville.

Larry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, as a Machine Gunner, from April 1969, until March, 1971, stationed stateside and in Germany, during the Viet Nam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge, Expert Badge and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Boonville and resumed his career at Eastern Rock.

On July 1, 1972, Larry was married to the love of his life, Cynthia Bourgeois, at St. Joseph’s Church, Boonville. This was a loving union which lasted for almost 42 years, until the death of Cindy, on May 10, 2014. Larry greatly loved his wife, his four daughters, sons in law and his eleven grandchildren and two great granddaughters.

Larry enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, soccer and softball, when he was younger and in later years he discovered the joy of playing golf. Larry was actively involved in baseball in Boonville, for over 60 years. He coached Little League, and Minor League teams in Boonville and Forestport, for many years. A great highlight of this era in his life, was coaching his daughters, nieces, nephews and grandkids. In the early 1980’s, Larry, along with Rich Walton began the T-Ball program in Boonville.

In January, 1979, Larry joined the Boonville Fire Department and Ambulance, where he served tirelessly as a driver and operator of fire apparatus and Ambulance Driver. For a time, he served the department as Lieutenant. Two days before he passed away, he operated a department pumper at a large fire in the town of Steuben, and shortly before he passed away on last Friday, Larry responded to an ambulance call. In addition to serving in the fire department, Larry was also a 38-year member of the Boonville Rescue Squad, serving as Captain.

Larry simply loved life and his family and serving and helping others, friends or strangers alike. A retired hospital emergency room supervising nurse summed up Larry’s character in the best way; “Larry was a very kind and compassionate person, fireman and ambulance driver, who always treated everyone and especially those in distress, with kindness, compassion and respect.”

He is survived by his beloved four daughters and sons in law, Tammy (Gregg) Farr, Statesville, NC, Jodi (Don) Croniser, Boonville, Miranda (Mike) Bush, Jr. Lowville, Cassandra (Craig) Hollis, Statesville, NC, eleven special grandkids; Abigail, Evan Farr, Aiden (Kambree), Bryar (Elizabeth), Cole Croniser, Damon, Sawyer and Adelaide Bush, Amelia, Leo and Everly Hollis; great granddaughters, Mazikeen Flannigan and Anastasia Croniser; three brothers, Ron (Dianna), Lynn (Tina), Dwayne (Charlotte) and one sister, Bonnie (George) Snyder, all of Boonville; brothers in law, Jerry (Mary) Bourgeois, Boonville, Larry Bourgeois and Mark (Dawn) Schoff, all of Ava and Evelyn Kellogg of Texas and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Larry was a dear and treasured friend to a great host of folks and also surviving are best friends, Dave Yockey, Myrtle Beach, SC, Patrick Henry and also the Dave Payne family who were always there for the family and his beloved pets, Little Bear and Maple.

Larry was predeceased by his wife, Cynthia, his parents, Ervin and Louise, brother, Corey and sister in law, Jeanie Zeigler; his father and mother in law, Joseph and Loretta Bourgeois; sister in law, Sharon Schoff; and brother in law, Charles Kellogg.

A Mass of Christian Burial, and Fire Department Funeral, will be celebrated by Rev. Matthew Rawson, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 7, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Church, Charles Street, Boonville, with interment to follow in Boonville Cemetery, with Military Rites to be conferred by Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. and The Tun Tavern Leather Neck Marine Corps League, all of Boonville. Members of the Boonville Fire Company and other area fire departments are all welcome to participate in the funeral procession from the funeral home to the church and then to Boonville Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where members of Boonville Fire Company and other fire departments are welcome to gather at 5:00 P.M. to call in a group. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Company Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309.

Contributions of food may be delivered to the Boonville Elks Lodge, # 2158, State Rt. 12, south of Boonville, lower entrance, on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. on.