Lawrence Goroski

Funeral Mass for Lawrence Paul Goroski of Miles City and previous long-time Baker resident will be 11:00 a. m. Thursday, June 23, 2011at St. John?s Catholic Church in Baker with Father Thomas Tobin, celebrating. Burial will follow at St. John?s Catholic Cemetery in Baker. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 9:00 a. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker and will continue from 5:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Homel, Miles City with a rosary at 6:30 p. m. followed by a vigil at 7:00 p. m. Lawrence died at the Veterans Administration Community Living Center on June 16, 2011. He was born in Roseau County Minnesota July 28, 1915 to August and Agatha Goroski. He told us that if it was a warm day, he just didn?t remember. In 1917, the family of three boys and five girls moved from Minnesota to Montana where his parent?s ran a grocery store and post office near St. Phillips/Carlyle. Five more siblings (three boys and two girls) were born in Montana. A short time later, his father bought some land west of Carlyle for crops and raised cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. He attended country school in Carlyle. As a young lad, Lawrence would help his father and brothers with the typical chores of a farm in the 1920?s and 1930?s. He also got temporary work driving and hauling grain for local farmers. He worked for a short time at Fort Peck in the tunnels tying the enforcement wire before they poured the cement. He also spent time in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) Camps in Glacier National Park where he worked in the forests cleaning up old trees, branches, and maintaining trails. Shortly after World War II broke out he joined the Marine Corps going through basic training in San Diego, California. He was sent to New Zealand for further training and then on to Guadalcanal where he served with his brother Joe who had joined earlier. During his time in Guadalcanal he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Upon returning to the States, he married the love of his life Genevieve Moody in 1943. He served out his enlistment in Bremerton Washington where he did guard duty and auto transport of military officials. He was discharged on January 19, 1946 exactly four years after the date of his enlistment. He farmed for a few years, but when his health got worse due to his military injuries, he moved to Baker. He worked various jobs including radiator repair, driving truck for the Conoco gas and oil bulk plant and as a mechanic at the Oldsmobile & Chevrolet garage. He worked at the garage until he was 65 years old. He also worked with his brother Joe?s carpentry business. After World War II, Lawrence, along with his brothers Hank, John, Joe and George formed a small band and would play often in the Wibaux and Baker area for dances and other festive occasions. During these years, Lawrence decided to make violins. He made about 24 violins over the years. Lawrence continued to play the banjo and fiddle into his later years. He also played the accordion and drums if needed. He last played his violin (or banjo) a few weeks before his passing. Lawrence and Genevieve were married for 61 years. She passed away in March 2005. In the fall of 2005 at the age of 90 unable to take care of his home, yard and garden, Lawrence sold his home in Baker and moved to an apartment in Miles City. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Stephen, Anselm (Hank), John, Joseph, and George; sisters Elizabeth Rising, Frances Berrier, Amelia Wicka, Cecelia Gorman, Selma Varner and Jane Schaeffer, and also his beloved nephew Leonard Goroski. He is survived by one sister Mary Yost of Colorado, numerous nieces, nephews, and very dear friend Dorthy Ley and her family of the Miles City area, who have overseen his care for the last six years. Memorials in Lawrence?s name are suggested to the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 or to charity of the donor?s choice.


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Burial Date: June 23, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, St. John’s Catholic Church, Baker, MT