Robert C. Lawrence, 65, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Mattapoisett, MA passed away March 27, 2003 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was the husband of Carole (Foster) Lawrence and son of Hilda (Jason) Lawrence of South Dartmouth and the late Charles Lawrence.
Born in New Bedford, he had lived in Dartmouth, MA before moving to Mattapoisett, MA in 1967. He retired to Sarasota last year.
He was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church in Mattapoisett, MA and St. Thomas More Church in Sarasota.
Mr. Lawrence was formerly employed as a Manager with New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, where he worked for 37 years, prior to his retiring in 1992. In his early years with the company he was awarded the distinguished Vail Award after he and his co-worker came to the rescue of a young boy who had fallen through the ice.
A standout athlete at Dartmouth High School, he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball and later went on to play played semipro football with the Murphy Club. For many years he officiated youth football and coached numerous little league teams.
Mr. Lawrence was a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts Technicial Institute, now University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
He was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, as well as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Florida.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Allendale Country Club in Dartmouth and the Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett. He enjoyed his family, good friends, and particularly the time he spent with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife; his mother; 4 sons, Eric Lawrence, and his wife Tanya, and Jay Lawrence, and his wife Teresa, all of Mattapoisett, Jeffrey Thompson, and his fiancée Jeanne Hamill, of Fairhaven, and Charles Lawrence of Martha's Vineyard; a daughter, Heidi Carney, and her husband William, of Methuen; 2 brothers, Phil Lawrence and his wife Annmarie of South Dartmouth and Jeff Lawrence of New Bedford; 2 sisters, Sandra Houlihan and her husband John, and Brenda Mahoney, all of South of Dartmouth; 7 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held in the chapel at the Saint Thomas More Church, Monday, April 14, 2003 at 9:30 AM. Friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours are omitted.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to: St. Thomas More "Catch The Spirit," 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231.