Lawrence G. Darcey Of Sag Harbor Dies July 7

Lawrence G. Darcey of Sag Harbor died on July 7. He was 90.

Mr. Darcey was born on July 31, 1929 in New York City.

He had a huge impact on other’s lives, according to his family, and was a real social justice warrior. The entire Darcey clan has been deeply influenced by his morals and sense of fairness, the family said. He was a macro- more than a micro-thinker when it came to life and relationships, but the world sorely needs people like that, too, his family noted.

Mr. Darcey was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Korean War. He was a New York City police officer for over 30 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant.

While raising six children and commuting to New York City from Huntington to work, he was able to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

He volunteered for many years at Covenant House, a center for troubled youth in Manhattan, and frequently attended mass at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church.

After retirement, he continued a busy and committed life, completing a master’s degree in divinity, and then taught peace and justice courses at Saint Anthony’s Catholic High School in Huntington.

After his second retirement, he moved to Sag Harbor, continuing his life-long commitment to peace and justice causes by volunteering with Pax Christi, Big Brother, Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and working to improve the well-being of the local homeless and immigrant community on the East End.

He wrote weekly letters to the editor of the East Hampton Star on peace and justice issues for over 20 years, and had a legion of followers.

He was very active in the Catholic, Quaker and United Unitarian communities in Sag Harbor, frequently giving presentations on peace and justice issues.

Mr. Darcey had a passion for all music, especially opera, meditation and gardening, with roses as his specialty. He loved and challenged his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and students to lead a purposeful life and serve others, his family recalled. “Go through life with your eyes wide open, miracles happen all the time. You just have to be open to them,” he would say.

He was predeceased by his father Joseph and mother Elsie.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; six children Joseph, Patricia, Mary, Larry Jr., John and Dennis; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be planned sometime in the future once the current pandemic conditions allow for a gathering of family and friends.

To honor his contributions to peace and justice causes, donations sent to Pax Christi Hospitality Center, 255 Oakland Ave., Port Jefferson, NY 11777, would be appreciated by the family.