Carthage

On October 26, 2016, Laban Haverstock left the world into which he was born 78 years ago. He was born in Massena September 8, 1938 to the late Charles and Thelma Haverstock. He attended school in Raquette River and graduated from Massena high school in 1957 where he was class president and a member of the 1956 Hall of Fame football team. He graduated from Clarkson in 1961 with a chemical engineering degree. He later earned a Master's in industrial management in 1974.

In 1961 he entered the USAF, completing his officer training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas with technical training at Lowry Air Force Base in Air Force logistics command. With a specialty in nuclear weapons he served at Bruggen Royal Air Force Base in Germany for 3 years, and then on to Malmstrom Air Force base, Montana. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1966.
From 1970-1990 he served in the Air Force reserves logistics command at Fort Drum and Westover Air Force base, MA. He became liaison officer for the Air Force Academy and ROTC programs. He retired from the reserves as Lt. Colonel in 1990 as aircraft maintenance staff officer.

From 1966-67 he worked for Benoit Jones, a paper machine company in Pittsfield, MA, as a research engineer. In September, 1967, he accepted a position with Crown Zellerbach company in Carthage and remained there through the takeover of Crown Zellerbach in 1986 by James River, in 1996 by Fort James and 2000 by Metro Paper. He served as engineering supervisor, technical director and environmental director. He remained with Metro Paper until 2016 when the company closed.

Laban was active in the Carthage community. In 1979 he was elected to the Carthage Central school board, where he served for 16 years, including as Vice president. In 1994 as a board member, he presented his son Chris with his valedictory diploma. He was also a member of the RACOG board of appeals where he was always interested in resolving issues that arose.

He was a leader in the Carthage United Methodist Church, acting as member and president of the board of trustees, Sunday school teacher, as well as ensuring the church's maintenance and overseeing renovation projects. He was recipient of the Northern New York United Methodist Conference's Laity award in 2004.
On July 15, 1961, he married Jean C. Hartman at the Massena United Methodist Church, the Rev. Robert Holmes officiating. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of Carlowden Country Club. He was an enthusiastic and creative gardener and enjoyed home repair projects and family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife Jean, with whom he celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary in 2011, and their three children; Daniel Haverstock and wife MaryAnn of Orange, CT, Elizabeth Patrick and husband Timothy of Canton, N.Y., and Christopher Haverstock and wife Susan of Alexandria, VA, as well as grandson Michael, 14, of Orange, CT. He is also survived by his sisters Shirley Eagles-Salmon and husband Peter of Watertown, N.Y. and Sheila Rivers of Morrisonville, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, October 31st at the Carthage United Methodist Church with Rev. Tracy L. Cook officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Carthage. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6pm at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Carthage United Methodist Church, 608 State St. Carthage, NY 13619.