HAVERHILL: Laurence J. “Larry” Najuch, Sr., 86, passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Bradford. He was the husband of the late Blanche (Srybny) Najuch who passed away in 2007.
Born in Methuen on May 22, 1925, he was the son of the late Joseph and Katrina (Kobos) Najuch. Larry attended Methuen Public Schools and was a graduate of Methuen High School. Upon completion of high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and fought in WWII. He was a recipient of the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal and the European Theatre Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class in 1946.
He married Blanche in 1947 and moved to Haverhill to start raising their family. The two were married for sixty years. Larry was employed as a letter carrier in Haverhill for many years until he retired at the age of sixty-two. He was previously employed as a leather cutter for twenty years in several local shoe manufacturing companies. He attended St. Michael’s Church for forty years and most recently was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Church.
Larry had a true passion for gardening over the years. He tended to his beautiful flower and bountiful vegetable gardens with the utmost attention. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved the time he spent with his family and friends. While living with his son, Larry for the last year and a half he got to spend time with his great-granddaughter, Sophia who especially liked tickling his toes as he sat there watching her play.
He is survived by his two sons, Laurence J. Najuch, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Bradford and Michael S. Najuch of Haverhill; seven grandchildren, Laurie A. Najuch, Michael S. Najuch and Sarah A. Najuch all of Haverhill, Brian J. Najuch and his wife, Vanessa of Derry, NH, Erin M. Najuch of Boston and Melissa L. Najuch and Laurence J. Najuch, III both of Bradford; two great-granddaughters, Kylie Najuch of Haverhill and Sophia Najuch Thomson of Bradford; a sister, Julia Briley of Salem, NH; a brother, Harry Najuch of Maine and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday in the St. John the Baptist Church, 114 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill, from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Walnut Cemetery, Haverhill.