Obituary of Laurence Grimes Droz

Laurence (Larry) Grimes Droz passed away in Lake Mary, Florida on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. He was 66 years old. 

He was born on March 4, 1956, the sixth son and seventh child of Elizabeth Jane Scheidelman Droz and Deacon John Joseph Droz in New Hartford, NY. He spent much of his youth at Brantingham Lake where many of his fondest childhood memories were made. His love for God began at an early age, and he met his future wife, Elizabeth Converse, at a Christian prayer meeting when he was 18 years old. After graduating high school, he attended both MVCC and Franciscan University where he took both Education and Business classes. After college, he pursued a career in business as a salesman. He worked for a central New York paper business, Vitaliano, before founding the Smart Shoppers Club, a local coupon book, in 1984. It was also in that year that he married Elizabeth (Liz) Converse. From this union, he had two living children, Mary Therese (George) and Joy (Vanderhoof), and two sons that were called home to heaven early in life, Joseph and Laurence Droz Jr. Larry loved the Adirondacks and spent much of his summer on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. In the winter, Larry, Liz and their girls would follow the sun south to Florida or west to Hawaii. 

Larry had an immense love of God and His Word. He would spend time every day, sometimes hours at a time, studying Scripture and sharing his findings with his friends and family. He started many Bible study groups and even began a company called Prosperity Bible School. 

Later in life, Larry moved to California and then to Florida to expand his business prospects and enjoy the warm weather. He passed away in Florida after a challenging battle with diabetes. He is survived by Elizabeth (Converse) Droz, daughter Mary (Droz) George, son-in-law Ryan George, granddaughter Elizabeth (Lizzie) George, daughter Joy (Droz) Vanderhoof, son-in-law Andrew Vanderhoof, grandchildren Augustine, Christopher, Gabriel and Evelyn Vanderhoof, Mother Elizabeth Jane Droz, brothers John Droz Jr. and sister-in-law Elaine, Chris, Tom, and Marty Droz, sister Donna (Droz) Montag and brother-in-law George Montag. He was preceded in death by Father Deacon John Droz, and siblings Stephen and Maryetta Droz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 189 Park Ave., Old Forge, NY on Saturday, November 18, 2022, at 10:00AM.  Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Old Forge.