Lawrence A. Colford

Lawrence A. Colford, 87, of Inverness, passed away July 31, 2024, in the HCAA Hospital, Ocala. Known to his Maine friends and family as Mickey, his New Hampshire friends and family as "Larry The Lion" and his Florida friends as Larry.

In 1956, he met his future wife Diane Thorne, and married her on April 23, 1960. Friends and family only gave them three years because they argued constantly. Boy, did they prove everyone wrong, as they were together for 64 years and married for 60 years.

He built two empires in his lifetime, but will always be known for The Hungry Lion Restaurant, which he owned and operated for 18 years in Keene, New Hampshire. The Hungry Lion was arguably one of the most noted restaurants in the New England area. He was an accomplished chef and was known for making anything anyone wanted and having it be the best thing anyone had tasted.

The Hungry Lion hosted many noted sports figures, politicians and a few bands that went on to have successful careers in the music industry. The employee Christmas parties were infamous along with their New Year's Eve festivities. In 1984 he sold The Hungry Lion, for the retirement life, moving his family to Inverness.

He decided retirement wasn't all it was cracked up to be and in 1986, he built his second empire known as The Gathering, A Restaurant. He successfully owned and operated The Gathering for 28 years, with his late wife Diane. Larry became known for his cooking while Diane became known for her bubbly personality and shutting him down when he got too loud. On a good night you could hear the arguments between himself and his Chef, Charlie. The same could be said of The Hungry Lion. You're laughing or smiling right now, if you were there.

In 2007 Larry became a devoted caregiver to Diane who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He dedicated himself to her for the next 12 years until her death in 2019. To say he had a fiery personality or was a hot head is an understatement. One could also say he would do anything for anyone and would give you the shirt off his back which he did from his early years until his death. He loved singing and didn't care where he was, especially after some wine. He would serenade anyone and if they got up to leave, he'd follow them until he finished. He was the king of cheesy one-liners like, "I'm really good to my wife. I don't come home often" or "This tastes like cake, donut?"

Larry was an avid golfer in his retirement years and continued cooking for anyone who would eat.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Diane Colford and is survived by his three children, Celeste (Andy) Bolduc of Dexter Me, Lance Colford of Orlando Fl and Elisha (Heather) Colford of Inverness, FL. He is also survived by his two brothers, Carroll (Fern) Colford of Fairfield, ME, Norman Colford of Oakland, ME, his sister Adeline Veilleux of Waterville, ME and his two grandchildren, Stephen Colford and Liam McCurdy.

The Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church followed by a Celebration of Life at the Inverness Golf and Country Club at 1 p.m. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home of Inverness.