Obituary of Darwin James Langlois

Darwin James (Jim) Langlois, of Lewiston died peacefully on April 21st 2018 at the age of 90.

Beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Barbara Langlois, Ellen Quinn, Cecelia Byrne, James (Reze) Langlois and Mary (Joe) Genovese, His grandchildren William Tate Van Ormer, Cateline Quinn, Kelly Byrne, Rosalie Newman, Annabel Newman, James Genovese, Melissa Genovese, Joey Genovese and Allison Genovese.  He is survived by his brother Alan (Suzan) Langlois and preceded in death by his mother Alice Beckeman, father Middy Langlois, brother Bernard (MaryJo) Langlois, Sisters Arloa Gaultney, Mary Jean Dowd and Doloris Langlois.

He was born on February 23, 1928 in Muskegon, MI. He was awarded the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award for academic excellence in high school science.  He graduated from Muskegon Community College with an associate degree in Science and graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.  He was president of his graduating class, awarded membership Tau Beta Pi (national honorary engineering scholastic society), the Blue Key (national honor activities society), and Sigma Phi Tau (national honor society for philosophers).  He was a WWII Veteran, serving in the Army with the occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan.  He was honorably discharged with a rank of T4 at the end of the war.  He was awarded ribbons for WWII victory, Japanese Occupation and Good Conduct.  He married Margaret Christman November 17, 1951.  He joined the DuPont Company in 1952 and held various technical and management roles in Niagara Falls and other locations for 39 years. He was awarded 3 patents and developed many trade secrets for the company.   He was a resident of Lewiston for 53 years and served his community as past president of Lewiston Kiwanis, past president of St Peter’s Holy Name Society, past president of St. Peter’s St. Vincent DePaul Society, served on the board of Community Missions, American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement.

Jim was elected to 2 terms and served for 8 years as a Lewiston Town Councilman. He believed in keeping Lewiston an attractive and affordable place to live.  He was instrumental in many projects such as installing pedestrian paths along River Road, 5th street, and West Eddy drive. Jim also guided fiscal negotiations during the NY Power Authority relicensing to ensure fair treatment and long term low cost power to area industries as well as residents.  He believed in supporting programs and services that enhanced our quality of life.  He was able to balance fiscally sound oversight of these services while maintaining a very hi level of service.

 He will be greatly missed by both his family and his community.  

Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Wednesday, April 25 from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 26, at 11:00 am at St. Peter RC Church, 600 Center St., Lewiston with the Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma officiating. (Please assemble at Church) All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the St. Peter RC Church Capital Campaign.