Obituary of Lawrence Moss

Lawrence Castle “Skip” Moss passed away on Monday, January 30, 2023, in Vero Beach, Florida at the age of 85. Born March 16, 1937 in Lockport, New York, Skip was the son of the late Lawrence Van Valkenberg and Dorothy Castle Moss. He was a graduate of The Choate School and Brown University where he majored in Classics, was a member of Psi Upsilon, and sang in the a cappella group, Jabberwocks at Carnegie Hall. Skip played string bass in college and served in the New York State National Guard for six years.

In the 1960s Skip acquired Corson Manufacturing founded in 1907 in Lockport, New York. As President and CEO, the business grew to 200 employees to become one of largest folding paper carton companies in the Northeast. Corson supplied printed packaging to Union Carbide Glad bags, Nabisco, Milk-Bone, Eveready Battery, Beech-Nut, and Fisher Price. Union Carbide recognized Corson with five Outstanding Quality Vendor awards in the 1980s.

In 1990, Skip retired and moved to Vero Beach, Florida where he first vacationed with his parents in the 1950s. A lifelong entrepreneur, Skip did not stay retired long, building businesses up to his last days. Businesses included The Island Shipper, Storage 17, Mr. Barksmith’s Cool Treats Smoothies for Dogs, and Window of the Eye Creations. In recent years he found great success with distribution of Turtle Tracks Family, a children’s sealife book series.

Traveling was one of his great loves.  In 1958, he sailed on his first Cunard ship, the Carinthia, from Montreal to Liverpool. In 1990, he flew the Concorde to join his daughter Libby studying in Thailand. In 1998, he embarked on an around-the-globe journey with his son Skip.  He and Joy especially enjoyed being at sea on the magnificent ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2). From 2003-2008 he traveled on segments of her World Cruise, making lifelong friends and visiting six continents. The last continent, Antarctica, was on his 2023 bucket list as well as a trip to stay on the QE2 floating hotel in Dubai.  Skip also enjoyed musicals on Broadway, West End, and at Riverside Theatre and fishing, boating, trains, photography, and NFL football.

Skip treasured the Adirondacks at his family’s camp on Big Moose Lake, the Higby Club and Covewood Lodge. Skip was a member of Big Moose Community Chapel.  As a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Lockport, New York, Skip served as a vestryman, warden, and chairman of the rebuilding committee after a devastating fire in 1975.  He proudly co-authored the book Grace Episcopal Church, A Select History, 1835-2020, hoping it would be a catalyst to repurpose Grace Church to serve the needs of the community.

Skip was a member of the Tuscarora Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club, a trustee of Glenwood Cemetery Association, and a trustee of Wyndham Lawn Home for Children.  He supported various recovery programs and was a friend of Bill W. for 32 years.  Skip was admired for his leadership, creative mind, and wry sense of humor. He will be remembered as an excellent storyteller and always ready for the next adventure.

Skip is survived by his wife Joy Carter Moss; former wife Marcia Earl Moss; three children Susan Moss Ruh (Peter), Elizabeth Earl Moss (Mic Wallace), Lawrence Castle Moss, Jr. (Carolina Forsat); six grandchildren Sarah Moss Ruh, Lucy Earl Ruh, Morgan Morrison Moss, Peyton Moss Wallace, Oliver Forsat Moss, and Benjamin Forsat Moss.

Relatives and friends are invited to funeral services Saturday, February 18^th at 11 AM in Grace Episcopal Church, 100 Genesee St., Lockport.  Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VNA Hospice House, Big Moose Community Chapel, and Glenwood Cemetery Foundation.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com.