Lawrence Funeral Home ...

... Our Staff --  We're Here to Serve You!               

Elmer Denesha - Started his career in the funeral business in 1941 when he served as an apprentice at the Kentfield Funeral Home. He worked at the funeral home until 1942 when he joined the Navy and served overseas for two years in the Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy, he worked with his father for 2 years then returned to work at the Kentfield Funeral Home. Elmer graduated from the Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science and received his Funeral Director’s license in 1951.

In 1955 he bought the former Kentfield Funeral Home in Dekalb Junction, New York and changed the name to the Denesha Funeral Home. He owned and operated the Denesha Funeral Home in Dekalb Junction as well as operating the Denesha Gardner Funeral Home on Court Street in Canton until 1987.

Elmer joined the Lawrence Funeral Home staff in 2000 and thoroughly enjoys his work and has made many friends throughout the years in the funeral business.

Elmer still resides in Dekalb Junction with his wife Edith. He has raised four children who all reside in Dekalb Junction as well.

Russell B. Lawrence III - “Russ” is a 1968 graduate of Canton Central School and a graduated from Canton College of Technology in the Mortuary Science Program in 1981. Russell Lawrence III became a St. Lawrence County Coroner in 1981 and still serves today. He is a member and past treasurer of the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSACCME) and serves on the Board of Directors, founder, president and chairman of the Friends of the New Canton Fire Station Committee, member and past president of the Canton Lions Club, board member of Friends of St. Lawrence Hockey, member and current president of Stillwater Club, member of the Clear Pond Club, member of the Galham Club, member of the St. Lawrence County Snowmobile Association, member of Canton Sportsman’s Club, an associate member of the VFW Edward C. Seymour Post #1231, member of the St. Lawrence Lodge #111, Free and Accepted Masons and exempt member of the Canton Fire Department. R.B. has been a private pilot since February of 1972 and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Cessna Pilots Association.

In addition to becoming the fifth generation of Lawrence’s to operate the family business, he served eight years on the Canton town council.  He is the current owner-operator of the Lawrence Funeral Home in Canton and is proud to continue the tradition of maintaining a very personable, locally-owned and family-operated business into the 21st century.

Russ still lives in Canton with his wife, Sharon and has raised two children, Russell “Rusty” B. Lawrence IV and Jessica.

Paul P.B. MacKay - Born in Star Lake, NY, Paul attended Clifton-Fine Central School until his family relocated to Pennsylvania and eventually Maryland. Paul attended Catonsville Community College, outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and received his degree in the Mortuary Science Program in 1992. He served his apprenticeship in Williamsport, Maryland with the Osborne Funeral Home from 1992-1993 and received his Funeral Directors License from the state of Maryland.

In 1993, Paul took a position at the Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick, Maryland and was employed there until he returned to the North County in June 2003.

Born in Star Lake, New York, Paul joined the Lawrence Funeral Home staff in April 2004 and received his New York State Funeral Director’s license June 2004.

Paul resides in Russell, New York with his fiancé, Charmaine Sharpstene Coffey.

Barry Walch - Barry has been a practicing funeral director since 1979, after starting his formal training in 1976. He was a funeral director with the White Funeral Home in Conway, NH.  At that time they also operated the emergency ambulance coverage for that town so he served as an EMT as well. Barry has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Colby College, Waterville, Maine; An Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service from New England Institute of Anatomy and Funeral Studies, Boston, MA, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire.

Barry came to Canton in 1989 to join the faculty of the Mortuary Science Program at SUNY Canton.   A year later he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor, and in 1995 assumed the position of Program Director.

Barry has been affiliated with the Lawrence Funeral Home since 1991, assisting in all aspects of funeral service as his schedule at the college allowed.  He also serves as a State Director of the New York State Funeral Director’s Association, and is a Founding Director of the New York State Tribute Foundation (a philanthropic association committed to helping the public with issues of loss and grief). 

Barry resides in Canton, New York and is a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Canton.