WINTERPORT – Thor A.J. Lawson, 58, died peacefully July 29, 2012, at his home, with his family members present. Thor suffered a severe stroke in 2001, which left him incapacitated and unable to walk. Fortunately, Thor’s fine mind was not affected and he had continued on for the past 11 years, living alone and managing his life quite well. Thor has suffered from cancer for the past several months, and it is the disease to which he succumbed. His long and difficult struggle is over, and he is now at peace. Thor was born Nov. 11, 1953, in Bangor, the son of Alwyn and Regina (Baril) Lawson.
He grew up in Winterport and lived a large portion of his life there. He also lived for a time in Massachusetts and for several years he owned a lovely old log home at Lake Lucerne, where he appreciated the beauty of the woods, the lake and the wildlife. Thor was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Thor graduated from Hampden Academy and attended the University of Maine for a time. His working life was largely in sales, particularly of automotive and tire products. Thor was known for his glib tongue and ability to “sell snow to the Eskimos.” A very intelligent man, Thor could discuss most subjects, which helped him to excel in his chosen profession of sales. He was articulate and could converse with anyone and was generally well liked by his employers and customers. Thor could be extremely charming and kind when he wished to be; he could also be short tempered when he felt someone was not paying attention or not trying to help themselves. Thor enjoyed keeping up with current events and had a tremendous memory. He could go back for years and relate newsworthy happenings in detail. Most people knew they could not defeat him in general knowledge, which made him a fierce adversary in the game Trivial Pursuit. Even after his stroke he retained his keen mind, which was like a steel trap. It seemed as though he never forgot anything.
Thor was predeceased by his parents; by his sister, Valerye (Lawson) Doyle, and by his beautiful niece, Eryn Doyle. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Lawson, currently of Bangor; by his sister, Brenda Lawson and her husband, Henry Krohn, both of Winterport; by his nephew, Brian Doyle and his wife, Samantha, and their young son, Callahn Doyle, all of Fairfield, Calif.; and by his niece, Alexandra Chapman, resident of the world. Thor’s family thanks Dr. Robert Bach of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Palliative Care Unit for his kindness toward Thor, as well as New Hope Hospice for their helpfulness and kindness shown to Thor and his family.
There will be a private committal service for Thor at Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. A time for family and friends to pay their respects and to commemorate Thor’s life will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Lawson family home, 123 Main St., Winterport. Friends wishing to remember Thor in a special way may make a donation in his name to Bangor Humane Society, 693 B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements entrusted to Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
Thor A.J. Lawson
