Stuart A. Lawrence

Stuart A. Lawrence, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024 surrounded by his loving family at home. He was the devoted husband of the late Lorraine Lawrence, to whom he had been married to for 61 years.

Stuart was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts with his parents when he was a young boy. He was the son of the late Albert Conrad Lawrence and Olive Tell (Dawson) Lawrence. Stuart graduated from New Bedford High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southeastern Massachusetts University, now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He continued his education to graduate from the New England School of Banking at Williams College in Williamstown.

Stuart retired as First Vice President in Commercial Lending for Baycoast Bank. He was in the lending industry for 58 years and was known by his peers as “The Legend” in his field due to his success at bringing business and expertise to every financial institution he worked for. Stuart retired at the age of 79 because of the love that he had for his career and the meaningful relationships that he made along the way.

Something very important to Stuart, and one of his greatest pleasures, was being in service to others and his community. He was a past president and director of the Rotary Club in New Bedford, where he was granted the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Service Above Self Award. He was a member of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and continued throughout his career to volunteer for the United Way, Special Olympics, and the Salvation Army. He was a past member of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society and served as chairman of the Financial Incentive Committee and director of the Plymouth Bay Girl Scout Council.

Stuart loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was a past board member and team captain with his late wife, Lorraine, on the Building Together Campaign for the extension of the church’s school, Nazarene Christian Academy. This was very important to him not only because it was his church, but because his granddaughters attended the school for their entire education.

Although Stuart loved Frank Sinatra, chardonnay, sports, and watching his beloved birds on the swing of his porch, his greatest love was for his family. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with his late wife, two daughters, and three granddaughters. His motto was always “Family First,” or as he would like to call it, “The Lawrence Way,” and his legacy will continue to live on through his children and grandchildren.

Stuart is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie A. Lawrence Bernier, along with her life partner, Robert Valentim and Elizabeth A. McGrath, along with her husband, Thomas, and his three granddaughters Renée, Paige, and Ava Bernier.

His private arrangements are in the care of Rock Funeral Home in New Bedford. To place an online tribute, please visit www.rock-funeralhome.com