Frank Lawrence

Frank Pratt Lawrence 86 of South Portland Maine passed away on February 01, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky, after a long illness with his daughter and caretaker Julie holding his hand. Frank was born in Portland on January 16, 1926 the son of the late Viola Mae (Pratt) and John Christopher Lawrence. Frank served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign. He reached the rank of Staff Sargent and was a Sperry ball turret gunner on B24 bombers. Frank was a prior member of VFW Post 832 in South Portland and a current member of VFW Post 680 in Lexington, Kentucky.

After his discharge from the U.S. Army Air Corps he worked for many years at the Portland Gas Light Company (Northern Utilities). During this time he was also President of the Maine Credit Union League. He then joined the Arthur Hahn Company in Portland Maine. From there he started his own company, Frank Lawrence Gas Contracting Inc. After retiring from his own business he went to work for Securitas as a security guard at Anthem of Maine.

Always active, Frank started roller skating when he was in his 70’s and continued for several years. He will be fondly remembered by his special roller skating buddies.

Considered by his family to be a warm, generous, hardworking man, he instilled moral values in each of his children He was a very loving husband and father and he was loved so much in return.

Frank enjoyed spending time with his family at their camp on Sebago Lake which he built with his own hands. The camp and those memories will always be cherished by his family.

As a testament to Frank’s strong will, and to the amazement of physicians , he was able to leave Gosnell Hospice House and then traveled to Kentucky where he walked his granddaughter down the aisle at her wedding

Frank was predeceased by his parents, son Gary Morgan Lawrence, infant daughter Nancy, brother, Gilbert Lawrence, and sister, Mary (Lawrence) Marston. Frank is survived by his wife of 63 years Helen (Morgan) Lawrence. He is also survived by his brother Roger Lawrence and wife Abby of Portland Maine. In addition, Frank is survived by his daughter Debra Lawrence Moore and husband Craig of Saco, Maine. Dana Lawrence and wife Debbie of Portland Maine and daughter Julie Lawrence Curry of Sadieville, Ky. Frank is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first great-great grandson due in March.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the staff at Maine Medical Partners, Cape Elizabeth, most importantly to Dr. John Reynolds for the special care and friendship he provided.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service to celebrate Frank’s life from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Jones Rich Hutchinson Funeral Home, Woodford Street, Portland, Maine. A gathering of remembrance at Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, to immediately follow.

Donations if desired may be made in Frank’s memory to Honor Flight New England PO Box 16287

Hooksett, NH 03106.