Saratoga Springs, NY - Lawrence L. McGourty Sr., of Excelsior Avenue, passed away Wednesday morning January 17, 2018 at home, surrounded by family. He was 79.

Born to Charles J. and Louise (Rice) McGourty on July 9, 1938, he was a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs. His wife, the former Ann Hinckley, predeceased him in 1996.

Larry graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1957. He was a veteran of the United States Army in the Combat Engineers as an instructor in weapons and was discharged with the rank of sergeant. He was also a member of many fraternal organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Italian-American Club (ITAM), Third and Fourth degree Knights of Columbus and the Saratoga-Wilton Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 161, where he served for over 40 years and was a former Lodge Treasurer and a past Exalted Ruler (2009).

In the 1960's and 1970's, he was a lieutenant in the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company of Ballston Spa. He received special training and instruction at the Factory Mutual Fire Academy of Boston, Massachusetts, the U.S. Federal Bomb School of Battle Creek, Michigan, and the New York State Municipal Police Academy.

His professional career started at the General Foods Corporation as an Engineering Planner and with the Saratoga Springs Police Department as a civil service police officer. He also managed a General Foods Little League baseball team during that time. After being promoted to Detective-Investigator, he was elected the Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety and served six 2-year terms in office.

Mr. McGourty was most recently employed by the Saratoga Springs City School District for 23 years as the Director of Transportation. He was a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Article 19-A Certified Examiner and a certified State Education Department School Bus Driver Instructor. Upon retirement, Larry entered the Transportation Consultant field and was a contract consultant for school districts and private transportation companies in New York and North Carolina.

A communicant and faithful weekly Mass usher for over 40 years at St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, he also was a member of the Saratoga County Conservative Party, serving on their executive board.

He is survived by two sons, Lawrence L. McGourty Jr. (Kim) of Queensbury, Christopher McGourty (Rhonda) of Saratoga Springs, and a daughter Lynn Prehn (Scot) of Saratoga Springs and six grandchildren; Erika, Andrew, Matthew, Troy, Kyle, and Theresa.

Relatives and friends may call from 9:30am to 11:30am Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2018) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373). The K of C will meet at 10:30am Tuesday at the funeral home for services and the Saratoga-Wilton Elks will meet at 11am.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave.

Burial with military honors will follow at the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to either the Saratoga Springs PBA or a charity of choice.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.