Francis Maynard Lashway

Francis Maynard Lashway, 92, of Altona, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the UVM Health Network-CVPH. He was born in Rensselaer, NY on November 14, 1929, the son of the Anna (Langevin) Goodrow and Frank Lashway. Maynard was one of 16 Children including 2 sets of twins. He attended Alder Bend School until the 8th grade at which time he stayed home to help on the family farm.
Maynard retired in 1992 after working at Georgia Pacific Paper Mill for 36 years as a tow motor operator. In 1945 he was working construction at Chazy Central School where he met the love of his life, Patricia Brothers from Ingraham, NY. Pat was then a junior attending the school.
In 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Army 552 AAA Gun Battalion for which he served 4 years including 2 tours of Germany; a proud military family, he and 7 of his brothers all enlisted in the service. His tells many stories of the 90 millimeter guns and 50 caliber machine guns and numerous large machinery he was responsible for.
In 1954 Maynard worked for LaPann Beer Company and later Fitzpatrick Construction.
Maynard and Pat were married August 2, 1956, the day after Pat turned 18 and started their family of three, Randy, Sam, and Wendy. In 1960 Maynard was a drag racer in Longueuil Montreal Airborne Park, winning 19 trophies with his 1961 Chevy. Pat was right by his side for every race, even with little Randy on her hip and Sam in the oven.
Maynard was chairman of the Altona Youth Commission for many years and in this position was part of the group that started Feinberg Park campsite and ballpark. He coached hockey for many years including a travel team on which Sam played. He never missed a sporting event his children played and later attended his grandchildren’s.
Maynard was part of the Altona Hillbillies for years in parades around the county in which he and his closest friends and brothers, Ralph Graves, Blondie (Harold) Lashway, Gerald Lafountain, Clarence Lafountain and Jerome Dowd, dressed as hobos and drove a beat-up car, handing-out candy and making people laugh.
The only thing that was more important to Maynard than being a Boston Bruins Hockey fan was his family. He loved having the whole clan together at one time.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia (Brothers) Lashway, his children Randy (Carol), Sam (Darlene) and Wendy, his grandchildren; Dylan (Autumn), Dusti (Kenny), Josh (Ariel), Jared (Hilary), Brandon (Heather), Brian (Becky), Jacob (Brandi), Ryan (Heather) and 11 great-grandchildren, Caydence, Branden, Kylie, Jack, Atlys, Reese, Alexis, Liam, Calhan, Rylee, Kendel and Hazley, and a sister Geraldine Kimbler.
He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws, Dorothy and Maynard Brothers, his sisters; Irene Bushey, Evelyn Riley, Lillian Lafountain, Mildred Dame, Shirley Jarvis, and Bernice Bushey, his brothers Frank, Clarence, Robert, Bernard, Amos, Harold, Gerald and Kenneth Lashway.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Brown Funeral Home, 3123 Miner Farm Road in Altona. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 1:00pm at Holy Angels Church in Altona. Interment will be at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home in Altona. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com