Lawrence Naeder

Native Staten Islander Lawrence H. (Giggy) Naeder, 77, of Tottenville, the borough's first deputy chief of operations for the city Department of Parks and Recreation, died Tuesday at home.

Born and raised in Richmond Valley, he settled in Tottenville in 1958.

Mr. Naeder served for 37 years with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. During that time, he became the Island's first deputy chief of operations for Parks. He retired as acting chief of operations in 1992.

Mr. Naeder graduated from Tottenville High School. He went on to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1952 to 1960.

Mr. Naeder was a member of the city Park's Department's Emerald Society; a past member of the board of directors of the South Shore Swim Club; an honorary life member of the board of directors for the Conference House Association, and also of the Knights of Columbus, Stolzenthaler Council, Charleston.

An avid bowler, he, along with his brothers, also belonged to a Men's Bowling League, which bowled on Monday evenings.

Mr. Naeder also enjoyed spending time with his family.

With his late wife, Jeanette Marie, Mr. Naeder enjoyed traveling through 49 out of 50 states and he enjoyed sharing stories about his travels with his family and friends.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville.

My dad was the most kindhearted, humble, lovable man I've ever known, said his daughter, Andrea Tolas.

His wife of 46 years, the former Jeanette Marie Kinelski, died in 2005.

Along with his daughter, Andrea, also surviving are two sons, Lawrence and Gregory; two other daughters, Laura Baran and Jeanette Accardi; two brothers, William and Robert Naeder; one sister, Mary Fravola; 17 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Friday, May 24,2013 11:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, May 23,2013 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Cremation Will Be Private

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church