AKWESASNE – Mr. David Jerry Lazore, Sr., age 75, 24A Pyke Rd., passed away Monday, February 7, 2011, at Massena Memorial Hospital.  He had been in failing health for the past few years.

Jerry was born on September 12, 1935, in Hogansburg, the son of Harry and Elizabeth Swamp Lazore.  He attended St. Regis Mohawk School and Thomas Indian School.

While in the army, he served as a paratrooper from September 1953 to November 1955.

Jerry married Barbara A. Bonaparte on August 11, 1956, at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs, S.J. officiating.

Jerry worked on the Seaway as a laborer; he then worked all over the country as a high steel structural ironworker, first joining the Local 440, Utica, NY, before transferring to Local 33, Rochester, NY. He retired in 1988, due to medical reasons.  While living in Rochester, he owned the Blue & White Bar and Grill and DJ’s Corner Spot Bar and Grill.

He also owned and managed a lacrosse team there.  After returning to Akwesasne, Jerry became involved in the development of the French Riviera Casino in Hogansburg.  He was a member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion 1479, Akwesasne and generously donated to the Indian Schools.  When he was younger, he enjoyed spear fishing.  He loved country music, and enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, and racing the NYS Troopers. His greatest passion was cooking.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, babysitting and cooking for them.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Barbara; his two sons and daughter  D.J. Lazore, Jr. and Stephanie, Austintown, OH, Troy H. Lazore, Akwesasne, and Joy and Henry Gibson, Akwesasne; and four grandchildren: Tory Beaty, Jerry A. Gibson, Blayke Gibson, and Jolie Gibson.  He is also survived by three sisters Mary Ginger Francis and Eric Seymour, Cornwall Island, Patti and Chuck Mancuso, Rochester, NY, and Marian Ransom and Michel Simon, Hogansburg; and two brothers Arnold and Louise Gray, Hogansburg, and Wesley Gray, Hogansburg, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was predeceased by a brother, Charles Robert Lazore on August 17, 1990, his grandma Da, Rose Peters, and an aunt Ida Cook Garrow.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the St. Regis Catholic Church, with Rev. George Belgarde, S.J. officiating.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club or the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.