Obituary of Lawrence H. Braccia

Lawrence H. Braccia, 88, of Vineland, NJ passed away on December 28th, 2020 at the NJ Veterans Memorial Home after an extended illness. Lawrence was born and raised in Dorothy, NJ. Later, he moved to Vineland where he remained most of his life. Lawrence is predeceased by Antoinette (Speranza) his loving wife of 51 years. He was the son of the late Anna E. Braccia (Schelken) and Frank J. Braccia. He is also predeceased by his sister, Nancy Smith. Lawrence was a graduate of the Vineland High School Class of 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 where he received the Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After serving in the army, Lawrence was employed for 40 years by NJ Bell Telephone as a lineman and installer. Later in his career, he worked in small central offices as a switchman maintaining and repairing telephone switchboard equipment. Lawrence was a member of the team of NJ Bell Telephone employees who installed more than 350 phones and two microwave towers for newspaper reporters and television crews for the Hollybush Summit on the campus of Rowan University (then Glassboro State College) in June of 1967. At this historic summit, President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin, discussed the most pressing global issues of the time. Lawrence received a letter of commendation from the White House for his contribution to this summit. Lawrence is survived by his daughter, Beverly Walsh (husband Richard); son, Lawrence Jr. (wife Jennifer) of Charlotte, NC and four grandchildren, Richard Walsh (Linda), William Walsh, Alexandra Braccia and Nicholas Braccia. Lawrence is also survived by two great grandchildren, Isabella Walsh and Sofia Walsh. The family requests that you remember Lawrence with kindness in your hearts as no public services or memorials were scheduled due to the corona virus pandemic. For those who wish, a memorial contribution can be made to: NJVMH Welfare Fund 524 N.W. Blvd. Vineland, NJ 08360 ? Life Enrichment. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.