Obituary of Harry Burnham Lancaster, Jr.

Harry Burnham Lancaster, Jr., founder/owner of Lanco Cleaning Service for 43 years, passed away with his family at his bedside on Tuesday afternoon, November 26, 2019. He was 87 years old. Harry was born in Lynn, Massachusetts and was the son of Hazel and Harry Burnham Lancaster, Sr. Harry grew up in Saugus, Mass and was a graduate of Saugus High School and Tilton Prep School (NH). Harry would go on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Tufts University. He served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. It was during his military service that he married his wife Constance. Their first year and a half of marriage was spent mostly separated from each other as he served his country while stationed overseas. Following his military service, Harry and Constance moved from Saugus to Lexington, Mass. It was there that they raised their five children. In 1974, Harry founded Lanco Cleaning Service. He had a wide variety of customers including office buildings, small grocery stores, convenience stores, and animal clinics. Lanco cleaning was truly a small business- Harry was the president, salesman, office manager, and he did all the cleaning work. Harry wasn’t afraid of hard work, he enjoyed his customers and he was blessed to have good health. He was running the business and doing all the work until he finally stopped working at age 85.

Harry adored his wife Constance and they were just weeks away from celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary. Harry loved his children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and was a great role model to them. Harry was a big sports fan. He loved the New England Patriots (Harry and Constance had season tickets for many years) and he especially loved Boston College Football. He went on several Boston College bowl trips with his wife, family, and friends including many bowl trips during the Doug Flutie era. Harry loved music. As a teenager he played the saxophone in high school and he was in a four person vocal group called “The Ramblers” throughout his college years. Harry loved watching marching bands. When most people took halftime as a break in the football action to get a cold drink or a snack, Harry happily sat in the stands or in front of his television and admired the music, the routines, and the band formations. He was also a big fan of old time country music.

Harry lived his life doing what he loved, being with his wife and family, going to and watching football games, listening to music, and working. Harry was the loving husband of Constance (Garniss). Loving father of Harry Burnham Lancaster, III & his wife June of Westford, Victoria Gallup & her husband Barry of Wellesley, Cynthia Tobey and her late husband Thomas of Falmouth, Cheryl Murphy & her husband Raymond of Burlington, and Dwight Lancaster & his wife Mary of Somerville. Brother of the late Priscilla Taylor. Proud grandfather of Barry Gallup, Jr., Raymond Murphy, Jr., Matthew Murphy, Mark Murphy, Paul Stites, Jr., Clinton Stites, Sarah Whitcomb, and the late Darren Gallup and Lisa Gallup. He is also survived by ten great grandchildren. A memorial service will be celebrated at the Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on Sunday, December 1 at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Harry’s name may be made to the Mass General Cancer Center. For directions, obituary, and on line guestbook see www.hancockchurch.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net