The editor of a Florida newspaper apologized for the poison pen obituary written by the embittered son of a former NYPD officer, which called him an “abusive alcoholic” who was “incapable of love.”
Florida Times-Union editor Gannett’s mea culpa came after Jacksonville resident Lawrence Pfaff Jr. in the July 2 edition of her newspaper commemorated his father as a “womanizer” who left behind a “path of destruction.”
“From an early age he was a womanizer and an abusive alcoholic who cemented his commitment to both with the path of destruction he left behind by damaging his adult children and leaving them broken,” the heart-sick son wrote.
Lawrence Pfaff Jr. wrote a scathing account of his father, whom he described as an “abusive alcoholic” in an obituary in the Florida Times Union
Lawrence Pfaff Sr., pictured here, was vandalized by his son in a poison pen obituary that appeared in the Florida Times-Union
He went on to denigrate his father as a good-for-nothing whose love of the bottle eclipsed everything else in his love.
“Lawrence, Sr’s hobbies included abusing his first wife and children,” the son wrote. “He loved starting projects but never finished any of them. He enjoyed the life of a bar fly for many years and had a quaint little living space, a studio, above his favorite hole in the wall, the Nashville club.’
The blistering epitaph proved too much for Gannett after the paper hit the South Florida doorsteps.
Lawrence Pfaff Jr., pictured here with his wife Gwen, said he wrote the crushing memorial to his father so he could cleanse himself and get over his anger
“Unfortunately, we published an obituary that did not meet our guidelines and we are continuing to investigate the matter,” the editor told First Coast News. “We regret any suffering this may have caused.”
Pfaff Jr. said he began dismantling his father a year before his father died at age 81 on June 27 in Belmont, New York.
“Writing his obituary was a way for me to cleanse myself and let that part of my life go,” he told the broadcaster.
Here is Lawrence Pfaff Jr.’s full obituary after his father died on June 27 at the age of 81
He said he tried to bond with his father when he was younger but had been estranged from the patriarch for 30 years.
The offended offspring said their father had several children; some he recognized; others he did not.
‘He leaves behind his three children, no four. Oops, five kids. Well, as of 2022, we think we know of one more, but there could be more. His love abounded when it came to himself, but was limited for his children,” Lawrence Jr. said in his obituary.
The son even took a hit on his father’s career in law enforcement.
“Lawrence Sr. served over 20 years with the NYPD, but even his time on the duty was negligent at best,” his son wrote. “Because of his alcohol addiction, his commanding officer took away his gun and badge and replaced them with a broom until he could pull himself together.”
Despite Gannett’s regret at releasing the obituary, many turned to Lawrence Jr. on Facebook to applaud his bravery.
“I lived your special kind of hell with a dad who was a monster, even as a kid,” Cathy Nix posted on the social networking site. “I’ve worked through many years of pain to live a wonderfully prosperous life, though at times it’s been more than a struggle. Society needs to hear that more people like you are standing up for those who never had a voice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being brave enough to speak your truth.
Alcoholism played a big part in the father’s tragic legacy, but that didn’t earn him any passports from his son.
“Lawrence, Sr. has claimed to be clean and sober for over thirty years, but he never worked any of the twelve levels, including the eighth and ninth levels, with his children to make amends,” his son wrote. “He possesses no redeeming qualities for his children, including those he knew and those he knew.”
Lawrence Sr.’s funeral was held at the Clayton Funeral Home in Kings Park, New York, according to website Legacy.com.
Two people have different memories of the former officer, posting glowing memorials on his funeral website.
“I will miss you good bro,” wrote Michael Pirrone. “You were a strong and loyal friend and I will always remember you as someone who never said no when I was in need. You have helped me a lot in life and I will always be grateful to you for that. You will always be remembered.’
Another friend, Michael Hoffman, wrote: “May you rest in peace brother until the day we meet again. I will always keep you in my heart. I love you.’
But that’s not how his own son remembered him.
“It will be a challenge to miss Lawrence Sr. because he was narcissistic,” Lawrence Jr wrote. “He was incapable of loving. Lawrence, Sr.’s death proves that evil dies eventually, and it marks a time of healing that will allow his children to get the graduation they deserve. Lawrence, Sr. is remembered for being a father to many and a father to no one.