Media giant Gannett apologizes for publishing SCATHING obituary for NYPD cop written by his SON!
Newspaper chain Gannett has apologized for publishing an obituary of a former NYPD cop that labeled him as a narcissist and an abusive alcoholic. Lawrence Pfaff Jr of Jacksonville, Florida, wrote the scathing and brutal obituary for his deceased father in a July 2 piece in the Florida Times-Union.
"He passed away on June 27, 2022, living a long life, much longer than he deserved. He is survived by his three children, no four. Oops, five children. Well as of 2022 we believe there is one more that we know about, but there could be more. His love was abundant when it came to himself, but for his children, it was limited," the obituary reads.
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Pfaff wrote, "From a young age, he was a ladies' man and an abusive alcoholic, solidifying his commitment to both with the path of destruction he left behind, damaging his adult children, and leaving them broken. Lawrence, Sr's hobbies included abusing his first wife and children. He loved to start projects but never followed through on any of them."
"Lawrence, Sr did spend over 20 years in the NYPD, but even his time in service was negligent at best. Because of his alcohol addiction, his Commanding Officer took away his gun and badge, replacing them with a broom until he could get his act together. Lawrence, Sr did claim to be clean and sober for over thirty years, but never worked any of the twelve steps, including the eighth and ninth steps with his children, making amends," he continued about his father who passed away aged 81.
Well, damn. I bet this felt therapeutic to write. pic.twitter.com/0sy3ff2yed
— Jessi (@OlMumsyJess) July 6, 2022
"He possesses no redeeming qualities for his children, including the ones he knew, and the 'ones he knew about.' It will be challenging to miss Lawrence, Sr because he was narcissistic. He was incapable of love. Lawrence, Sr's passing proves that evil does eventually die, and it marks a time of healing, which will allow his children to get the closure they deserve. Lawrence, Sr can be remembered for being a father to many, and a dad to none," the shocking obituary concluded.
Pfaff told First Coast News, "Writing his obituary was a way for me to really cleanse myself and let that part of my life go. And so a year ago, I sat down and began to write it, not knowing I would have an opportunity in the near future to use it." He added, "I went through my adult life and realized that nothing was working, that I was broken, and I was damaged by the alcohol and alcohol abusive, I kept continuing to seek help and make myself better."
Man who wrote brutal 'truth' about his father in obit says it helped him heal Lawrence Pfaff Jr. wrote that his father was "incapable of love," among other harsh criticisms in his obituary, published in Jacksonville's Florida Times-Union. https://t.co/bnyShQhqiu
— Keitha Nelson (@KeithaNelsonFCN) July 6, 2022
Pfaff continued, "He's had 30 years since we've stopped talking to profess his truth. And so now it's my turn to profess my truth." He further revealed, "I got a call from somebody in St Augustine that found me and wanted to thank me for posting that because, you know, they had a similar life, and they wanted to be able to do something similar to help heal. They just thanked me for, you know, the honesty."
The Gannett Company, which owns the newspaper, gave the following statement, "We regrettably published an obituary that did not adhere to our guidelines and we are looking into the matter further. We regret any distress this may have caused."
Holy shit this is a real #obituary . Lawrence Pfaff Sr. Obituary - Florida Times-Union https://t.co/3ncjaLBUgb
— Daniel Telvock (@DanielTelvock) July 6, 2022