OLD TOWN – Gerald “Jerry” F. Lawrence, 83, died peacefully May 9, 2009, at a local hospital. Jerry was born in Bangor, the son of John and Hester (Diamond) Lawrence. Jerry attended Bangor schools and at age 16, Jerry joined the Navy. While serving his county, he was injured and then returned to Bangor. With family being of highest importance to him, he was able to purchase the family home on Lincoln Street for his father under the GI Bill. He married Vivian Martin, April 2, 1949, and together they raised four children. For more than 40 years they worked side by side. Their first business together was running the Island Cleaners, French Island and then later purchasing Hilson, Cleaners, Orono. Jerry was a faithful communicant of Holy Family Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and VFW. In his younger years, he traveled across the state with a championship Knights of Columbus bowling league. After retiring from the dry cleaning business, Jerry joined SPEBQSA. He loved singing with the barbershop group. He was also a member of the church choir. Jerry is survived by his two daughters, Susan Thomas and her husband, James, of Haysville, Kan., and Linda Lawrence and her husband, Darrell Parrick, of Milford; two stepsons, Eugene Moores and his wife, Cecilia, of Milford, and Wilfred Moores and his wife, Deborah, of Londonderry, N.H.; brothers, Frederick “Smokey” Lawrence of Bangor, Douglas Lawrence of Attleboro, Mass., and Kenneth White of Freeport; and sisters, Marjorie Clark of Pittsburgh, who passed away the day after he did, Mary Ellen Baldwin of Chicago, Shirley Neal of California and Melanie Emerson of Bradley. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Vivian, in 2007; two brothers, Donnie Lawrence and Joseph Lawrence; and one sister, Norma Robertson. Relatives and friends may call 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, where Knights of Columbus will be reciting prayers beginning at 5 p.m. and VFW will begin their prayer service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at Holy Family Church, Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, 429 Main St., Old Town. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Old Town. After the funeral, all are invited to a reception for continued fellowship at the parish hall. Donations in his memory may be made to Parish of the Resurrection Building Fund. Notes of remembrance and condolence may be left at www.mem.com.
GERALD ‘JERRY’ F. LAWRENCE
