Robert M. Lacock

Last Living Charter Member of N. Franklin VFD Robert M. Lacock, 93, of Washington, died Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in Donnell House. He passed away following a brief illness. He was born November 18, 1916, in Canton Township, Washington County, a son of Morgan and Nellie Mitchell Lacock. A graduate of Trinity High School, he served as president of the class of 1933. Mr. Lacock attended Washington and Jefferson College, Geneva College, and Carnegie Institute of Technology, and took numerous courses in minor judiciary and law enforcement. His career as a metallurgist started at Jessop Steel Company. He also worked in the propeller division of Curtis Wright Corporation in the Metallurgical Research Laboratory. Mr. Lacock was one of the original incorporators of the Warren Corporation. He was secretary and treasurer in charge of engineering, design and fabrication of bacteriological systems for use in research and chemical warfare. While there, he helped design and fabricate the laboratory equipment for Dr. Jonas Salk used in his discovery of the polio vaccine. Mr. Lacock was Justice of the Peace for 18 years in North Franklin Township. He also was Chief of Police for six years. Mr. Lacock received a certificate from Governor Schafer for 25 years of public service. He was a life member and the last living charter member of North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the American Society of Metals and Sunset Lodge No. 623 F & AM. Mr. Lacock was co-owner of U.S. and Canadian patents for laboratory table construction. He was last employed by Hardon Manufacturing, retiring in 1981. He was a member of Fairhill Manor Christian Church. Mr. Lacock was famous for his garden, especially his rhubarb patch. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and mowing his one and a half acre lawn. On June 7, 1941, he married Mildred Mounts. After 32 years of marriage, she died in 1973. In 1975, he married Jane Weirich Taylor and they were married for 26 years until her death in 2001. He leaves behind many who will miss him dearly including two daughters, Bonnie Comstock (Richard) of Lone Pine, and Sandra Ross (David) of Washington; a son, Von Lacock (Lynn) of Washington; three step-sons, Robert Taylor (Kim) of Westland, Michigan, John Taylor (Peg) of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Richard Taylor (Teresa) of Wellsburg, West Virginia. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Karen Comstock Bean (Steven), Stacey Comstock Verguldi (Anthony), David A. Ross, Dennis Ross (Beth), Amy Ross (Jamie), Lynsey Lacock Johnson (Peter), Von Dale Lacock II, Maggie Lacock Graff (Doug), and Ty Lacock; nine step-grandchildren, Melissa Taylor Krause, Meredith Taylor, Alicia Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Desiree Taylor Morrell, Jason Taylor, Scott Hannig (Jessi), Kathryn Taylor Viswanathan (Balaji), and Nicolos Taylor; 12 great-grandchildren, Sarah and Joshua Verguldi, Zachary, Brady and Katelyn Ross, Andrew and Aaron Harshman, Nathan and Megan Ross, Alex and Molly Johnson, Eli Graff; 10 step-great grandchildren, Isabella Morrell, Alekzander Halligan, Adeline, Sam and Cecilia Hannig, Austin Emich, Tristan and Caylin Krause, Christina Brandon and Claire Elizabeth Brandon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Deceased are a sister, Martha Nicholl; and two step granddaughters, Bridgett Taylor and Jamie Hannig. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 1st. Burial will follow in Lone Pine Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to North Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, 565 Sylvan Drive, Washington, PA 15301; or to Donnell House, Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.