I met Laurie about 34 years ago when he and Dianne reconnected just after Teresa and I got married in 1984.  They got married the following year in the same small church as the one we got married in just up the road from Dianne’s old house in Surrey. Their wedding reception was at our house and I remember Laurie expressing his joy and happiness to his Family and friends. He and I both knew we had a special connection being newly married to mother and daughter. We are so thankful and blessed that Laurie was such a big part of our lives and he has left us so many wonderful memories. 
I will remember Laurie as someone who lived in the moment, valued his relationships, and often expressed gratitude and shed many tears of joy and appreciation, especially in his later years. Laurie would always be the first to suggest a toast to celebrate a special occasion or milestone…and we had many of them over the years. He would always be the first to start signing happy birthday at family dinners in his proud and loud voice and often add extra verses because he wanted to keep enjoying the moment. Laurie always expressed his appreciation and thanks after every family function and went out of his way to connect with everyone in the room and if my parents weren’t there, he would always ask how they were doing.  When anyone asked Laurie how he was doing, it was always the same…he would say, “I’m doing fine except for my knee”…which was a recurring theme of conversation as he aged. I remember Laurie would always offer to help me with my home projects over the years because he wanted to be involved and spend time together.  As Laurie aged, he became much more emotional and would often say “this is the best day ever”, even if it was just because of an unexpected visit at the care home to see him.   But what I am really thankful for is the relationship Laurie had with our three kids, Justin, Robby and Katie who only ever knew him as Grampa Laurie. We love you Laurie, rest in peace.

Grampa 
One of my first memories, I would have been no older then Four or five. I was sitting in laurie and Diane's farm house in a high chair eating my breakfast. It was there every morning my grandpa would lecture me about eating all my food so I would grow up big and strong, and if I finished everything he would take me out on his tractor for a ride around the farm. 

I would sit in his lap and steer, and he would man the pedals all around the farm. I went for many rides on that tractor. 

When Laurie and Diane moved to Armstrong Katie, Robby, and I ; six, four, and two, where old enough to use power tools. Grampa would take us out to the shop and with skill saws, bench grinders, and other tools no child should be near he would help us build toy swords, and bow and arrows to play with out in the yard. 

When the sun went down and we were called inside you could find us all down stairs with him in their basement where he would help us construct model airplanes that he had pick out at his local hobby shop for us.  

When the winters came he would bring us down to the school where we would go tobogganing. He would help us with a big push at the top of the hill trying to give us enough speed to reach the school walls across the field from the bottom of the hill. 

He was are camping buddy, teaching us how to chop kindling, set squirrel and bee traps, helping us build forts and always taking us fishing. 

We will always remember Laurie as the grandpa who would say don't tell your mom we used to bench grinder, Keeping us entertained with super glue and paint building planes, are speed booster wile tobogganing, the grandpa who would not let you leave the house without combing your hair, or wear your hat at the dinner table. and the best play mate three kids could ask for. 

We will never forget the amazing childhood memories you gave us growing up and your unconditional love. We love and will always miss you grandpa. 

We farmed next to Laurie from the spring of 1973. He was a very close and dear friend. There are so many great stories to be told. Over the years we have shared many good times, dancing, farming and enjoying each other’s companionship and he will be thought of often and missed terribly. Thinking of Diane and his children and hers today as they lay him to rest. God bless you all. Love Rick and Marg.

OBITUARY

Lawrence Andrew Dolter

19 January, 1923 – 29 September, 2018

Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home

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