Denis Lawrence, passed away peacefully with his wife and sons by his side on Sunday, February 23, 2020 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on May 23, 1940, and was the son of the late Frances (Souza Paiva) and Antone Lawrence.
Denis served as a City Councillor At Large in New Bedford for four years and as a Massachusetts State Representative from the 13th Bristol District for 12 years. He served as the Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. He believed in public service and working for the people and city he so loved.
Denis retired from the City of New Bedford as the Assistant Superintendent of Cemeteries in 2002. A lifelong resident of New Bedford, he spent his retirement in Port Charlotte, Florida, with his beloved wife of 58 years Carole Ann.
Upon his retirement, Denis completed many of his bucket list dreams, driving cross country twice with Carole in their motor home. He achieved his biggest item for his 65th birthday by going on Grand Safari in the Serengeti, Tanzania and Kenya in 2006.
Denis grew up the son of a farmer from Lawrence Farms, later known as Lawrence Greenhouses on Hathaway Road. This is where he learned his jack of all trade's ability, and is fondly remembered as being able to do anything, build anything and fix anything. He will always be remembered for being the family's master chef. He lived for cooking meals, not just on holidays but any chance he could and having his family and friends gather around the dinner table, for good food, sharing love and laughter.
His proudest life moments without doubt would be the time spent with his grandchildren. He lived for each and everyone of them, they were his joy and he loved being a Papa.
Denis is survived by his wife Carole Ann (Zalenski); his three sons Denis, Jr. and his wife Deborah, David and his husband Jim, and Dean and his wife Luci; his grandchildren, Denis Robert, Sarah, Nicholas, Hannah, and Patrick; and his pups, Molly-Anna and Dillon.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Monday, March 2, 2020 at 9:00 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 2-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Denis' memory may be made to Mission22 with checks made payable to Mission22 and mailed c/o Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or online at www.mission22.com/give. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.