Laurence "Larry" Winum

Laurence “Larry” Leo Winum of Walden, New York went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2025. Born to Laurence and Florence Winum on June 1, 1940 in Richmond Hill, New York, he spent his childhood in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. In August 1960 he met the love of his life, Jean Marie Winum (née Roman), and they married on July 13, 1963. Over the last sixty-two years their love has been the foundation of their family and the example set for the generations that survive him.

Larry served in the US Army, both on active duty and as a reservist, from 1962 through 1968. During this time, he began his teaching career in Ridgefield, Connecticut. In 1966 he began teaching English at Valley Central Middle School in Montgomery, New York, where he continued until his retirement in 1995. His legacy survives through the countless students within the Montgomery community who fondly remember “Mr. Winum” as a teacher that influenced their lives in a positive way.

In addition to his teaching career, he owned and operated a philatelic business where he sold international collectible postage stamps until 2025. Many of his customers became lifelong friends and he enjoyed their company and conversation throughout the many “stamp shows” in which he took part throughout his career. He was respected as an honest and knowledgeable philatelist in this endeavor.

Larry found great joy and comfort in the Catholic faith. With Jean, he shared the hope of the Gospel with others through a class they taught for almost a decade entitled “Catholic Conversations” at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Walden, New York. He enjoyed and shared his love of gardening with each of his children, who in turn, have shared the beauty of nature with their own children and friends. In the few hours that existed between the responsibilities of being a husband and father, teaching, the philatelic business, and completing many projects around his home with his sons, he was a model railroad hobbyist. He would retreat to his “train room” for a brief moment of solitary respite that he found in building smaller scale railroad layouts.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean, and his children, Laura Christiantelli (Frank), Laurence (Ellen), Nathaniel (Karin), Monique Martindale (Zak), Kara Winum (surviving spouse of son, Dominic), Jarret, Karena, Karl (Betsy), and Brant (Heather) in addition to 26 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn him are his sisters Helen Barr, Susan Rella (Joseph), and Alice Carver. He was predeceased by his son, Dominic.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, New York.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 11 am at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 57 Walnut Street, Walden, New York, followed by interment at the Wallkill Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan  800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or the Town of Montgomery Food Pantry, P.O. Box 423, Montgomery, NY 12549.

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