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Francis Leo Lawrence
AGE: 75 • Mount Laurel
Francis Leo Lawrence died peacefully following an illness on April 16, 2013, at his home in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, with his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary Kay, and his daughter, Naomi, by his side. He was 75 years old. "Fran", was born in 1937 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the fifth child and only son of Anthony and Eldora Lawrence. He attended Mount Saint Charles High School where he played hockey and was a star pitcher on the baseball team. He was inducted into the Mount Saint Charles Hall of Fame in 2005. Fran received his bachelor's degree in French and Spanish from St. Louis University in 1959 and his Ph.D. in French Classical Literature from Tulane University in 1962. He rose through Tulane's academic and administrative ranks to full professor, chairman of the French and Italian department, Dean of Newcomb College, Dean of the Graduate School and Provost. In 1990, he was appointed president of Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey. In 2002, he returned to academia and became a Rutgers University Professor. While on the Rutgers faculty, he authored Leadership in Higher Education: Views from the Presidency, a collection of interviews with presidents and chancellors of leading universities. Fran's career and academic accomplishments were stellar, but he was most proud of his family -- his four sisters and their spouses: Dorothy (deceased), Juliette Bernier (Leo), Madeline Nasuti (Joey) and Sr. Theresa Lawrence; his children: Elizabeth Lawrence (deceased), Dr. Christopher Lawrence (Linda), Dr. Naomi Lawrence (Jerry Franz), and Jennifer Lawrence (Rick Torres); and his thirteen grandchildren: Joshua, Benjamin and Mary Elizabeth Hurley; Jeremy Bazile; Jeffrey, Gary and Kelsey Lawrence; Michael, Mark and Lucas Franz; and Isabel, Jacob and Marisol Torres.
Fran loved playing, coaching and watching baseball. In his earlier years, Fran coached baseball at the Carrollton Boosters Club in New Orleans, leading his son Chris' eleven year old team to a City Championship. In his later years, Fran coached his New Jersey grandsons' little league baseball teams in Mount Laurel. Fran and Mary Kay took great joy in attending every sporting event, recital, graduation, and first communion for their grandkids. Fran will be remembered for his energy, dedication, integrity, and his particularly booming laugh. He grew beautiful roses, told fabulous, if slightly embellished, stories to his grandchildren mostly about his childhood dog, Trixie. His family loved him very, very much and will miss him even more.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday April 28th at 9:00 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Chapel at Rutgers University, 83 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901. Donations may be made in his memory to the Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, The Spinal Cord Injury Project, 604 Allison Road, D-251 Piscataway, New Jersey 08854.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Valenda Newell
November 9, 2016
We have so many wonderful memories of Fran and the Lawrence family from graduate school days and married student housing at Tulane. We are so saddened by the news of his death. Our prayers are with the family.
TE and Gene Byrne
April 25, 2013
I am sorry for your loss and sorry we didn't get to know him better.
Your neighbors,
Bruce and Debbie Leonard
Deborah Leonard
April 25, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Evette
April 22, 2013
I love you.
Chris
April 21, 2013
Please accept our deepest condolences in the passsing of Dr. Lawrence. Mary K and the rest of his family ramain in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate his life. He lives on on the countless lives he has influenced in such positive ways!
Mr. Handyman Ray & Courtney
April 20, 2013
I'm so sorry for the loss of your love one . May the God of comfort be with you during your time of grief. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Anna hendon
April 19, 2013
A TRUE SCARLET KNIGHT, REST IN ETERNAL PEACE
Carmen Iris
April 18, 2013
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. A credit to your profession; a man of integrity.
Metropolitan Ephraem Bertolette
April 18, 2013
My deep condolences to the Family and Friends of Francis Lawrence. My Brother,Terrell Willis who is in Rutgers Hall of fame for Football.I have many memories sitting in the stadium and watching RU football team win many games and all the tailgate parties. May you get comfort at this time from the God of comfort. ISAIAH 61:1,2
Leia Mandeville
April 18, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
April 18, 2013
rest in peace
Dwayne Bickham
April 17, 2013
rest in peace
Dwayne Bickham
April 17, 2013
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