Obituary of Lawrence J. "Zeke" McCullagh, Jr.

1945 was a big year. It’s the year World War 2 ended. FDR passed away and Harry Truman became the President. Dr. Death and Teletruth were the hot tv shows. Doris Day’s Sentimental Journey, and Bing Crosby’s Just A Prayer Away, swept the radio. Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn were the Hollywood stars, and yet -- the world was still missing something snazzy.

On the one-year anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1945, in Bainbridge, NY, Lawrence and Dorcas McCullagh gave birth to their son, Larry McCullagh Jr. lovingly known to most as Zeke.

Zeke grew up with his older sister Joanne on Prospect Avenue in Walton. The pair of them were beautiful and funny and as equally full of playful mischief. One Christmas morning, they both acted so surprised at each of their gifts, even though they had completely unwrapped all of them the night before because they “couldn’t stand the wait.” They were very careful with the tape.

Zeke followed in his dad’s footsteps and began working at Kraft at an early age, where he would continue to work for 42 years.

His first car was a classic, and he continued with his beautiful cars the rest of his life, often sporting a Native American headdress hanging from the rear-view mirror. The garage he kept them in? Spotless.

Zeke never married or had children of his own and was forever the doting uncle to his nieces and nephews who he loved dearly and affectionately. Zeke and his snazzy socks would show up at every family gathering, and most often his spare pepper shaker because there was never enough pepper.

He loved a few things almost as much as his family. The turquoise and silver bracelets that covered half of his arm. The Dallas Cowboys (and cheerleaders), soap operas from his favorite easy chair, a pair of threadbare mowing shorts his mother groaned about, America eagles, Native American artwork, Danica Patrick, steak and potatoes, bowling, and of course, pepper.

There will also never be another devoted Diana Krall fan as much as Zeke. Sidenote: He did not like Elvis Costello for obvious reasons.

He was a 55-year member of the New York State Elks Association.

He blinged every room he walked into in his quiet way. His easy laughter, his simplicity and consistency, and his duty to perfection. He has given the shirt and bling off from his back, was always there if you needed him, and as he would say, “Just a phone call away.”

When his sister passed away unexpectedly, he and his mother would take her young children camping every summer at Bear Spring. He never got over her death. When his father passed away, he and his mother looked after each other until her passing in 2010.

“Great Great” was predeceased by his sister Joanne and brother-in-law Burton Wilson.

He is survived by his beloved caretaker and nephew, Mark Dougherty.  Nieces and nephews Eileen, Jeff, Brian, Jodi, Jay, Robin, Becki, Margaret, Emily and Sarah.  Nineteen great nieces and nephews, and five great-great nieces and nephews. He will be missed, but we know Gram already has him mowing the lawn in heaven.

In the words of Uncle Zeke. “Love ya, love ya.”          

Friends and relatives are invited to call from 3-6PM on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Hall & Peet Funeral Home, 134 Main Street, Delhi, where the Elks Lodge will conduct a service at 6PM followed by a time of sharing and celebration of Zeke’s life.  Private burial at Walton Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.

Please visit www.hallandpeet.com to share a condolence with Zeke’s