Roger S. Lawrence passed away at his home in Kennebunk, Maine on September 28, 2016 after a period of declining health.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1928. Upon graduating from high school he joined the Navy, serving from April 1946 to December 1946 when he received an honorable medical discharge. He joined US Steel in 1947 as a salesman, traveling throughout the northeast until his retirement after 30 years. On October 9, 1948 he married Shirley Cain and they lived in the Boston area until the couple moved to Kennebunk in 1953 to raise a family.
Roger served the Kennebunk community in a number of ways. Together he and Shirley ran a youth group through Christ Church. They advocated for a place young people could gather which led to the building of the Youth Center at Parsons Field. He served on the Board of Appeals for 10 years, was active in Arundel Associates investment club, and was a Mason, York Lodge Chapter. Roger began a long association with Kennebunk Savings Bank in 1979 when he was elected to the Board of Trustees serving in that capacity for 18 years. He was Vice Chairman for seven years, and Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1994.
He and Shirley joined Webhannet Golf Club in 1957 where they spent countless hours, often with kids in tow, seeking that elusive perfect round of golf. He held positions at the Club as Treasurer for 15 years, Board of Governors for 35 years, and served as President from 1988 to 1990.
Upon his retirement from US Steel in 1977, Roger pursued a number of activities, combining work and play. Business endeavors included 14 years with Northeast Coatings and 18 years with R.E. Marier Real Estate and Smith & Newell. For the past 28 years Roger and Shirley spent their winters in Palm City, Florida.
Roger loved to golf and he loved to fish, as evidenced by his license plate “GOLFISH”. For many years he, his dear friend Lloyd Nedeau and a host of other characters spent black fly season at Frost Pond Camps near Ripogenus Dam. Hilarity, practical jokes, and cribbage might have prevailed over the number of fish actually caught. In later years he spent many peaceful hours fishing in his canoe on the Kennebunk River, knowing everyone who lived on its banks.
Family memories include: scraping and painting the bottom of the Jolly Roger, a wreck of a lobster boat that somehow held undeniable appeal; cross-country skiing on the golf course in the moonlight; and summer vacations on Sebago Lake.
Roger will be lovingly remembered by family and friends as a man of honor and integrity who had a wit as quick as his smile, a generous spirit, and a big heart. He was most fulfilled when helping others. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Shirley Lawrence, daughters Gail Lawrence of Gorham and Joyce Brown of Lyman, and two sons-in-law, Peter Brown of Lyman and Phil Newell of Kennebunk. Roger lived life on his terms, and left life on his terms. His family is honoring his wish that there be no memorial service. A family service will be held in the spring of 2017 at the Veterans Cemetery in Springvale, Maine.