David P. Lawrence

HOLYOKE — David Paul Lawrence, 89, died Thursday Jan. 21, at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke Mass.

He was born in Springfield on Sept. 1st, 1920, to the late Helen M. (Farrell) and David B. Lawrence.

He graduated from Visitation High School in Detroit, Mich. in 1938, and received both his BS in Education in 1948, and Masters in Education in 1949, from Boston University. He played on the varsity football team while at Boston University.

David was proud of his U.S. Naval Service during WW II, and later served as a U.S. Air Force Reservist through 1962.

David dedicated his professional life to the education and development of young people. He started his career as a physical education teacher and basketball coach at Oak Bluffs High School on Martha's Vineyard from 1949-1950. He then served 10 years in the Springfield School System, as an elementary school physical education teacher, then as a History Teacher, Varsity Swim Team Coach, and Assistant Football Coach at Springfield Trade High School, and then as the guidance counselor at Springfield Technical High School. In 1960, David moved on to the University of Massachusetts, where he worked in the financial aid office and later served as Associate Dean of Admissions. He was the Public Address Announcer for many years for both UMass basketball and football, and for a few years with the New England Patriots. He was a Little League Baseball coach for many years while in Amherst. He concluded his career at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, beginning in 1973, serving as Registrar, and then Associate Academic Dean.

Following retirement from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1985, he served his fellow veterans by volunteering his time in numerous capacities for the American Legion out of Bradenton, FL. He also volunteered his time for many years with the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club during spring training seasons.

He was the widower of Ruth (Larson) Lawrence, who died in 1982. He was subsequently married to Barbara DeCicco of Bourne, MA. He leaves his current wife, Elinor Rey (Arbanas) Lawrence of Portland, Ore. He was the father, from his first marriage, of David M. Lawrence and his wife Sandy of Poulsbo, Wash., Patricia A. Chicoine of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Dennis P. Lawrence and his wife Barbara of Easthampton, Karen R. Lovejoy of Texarkana, Ark., William J. Lawrence and his wife Shawn of Wilbraham, John M. Lawrence and his wife Lynne of Easthampton, Kathryn H. Corsano and her husband James of Bourne, and Ruth E. Lawrence of Chicopee. David also leaves 17 grandchildren, 6 stepchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the WILBRAHAM FUNERAL HOME, 2551 Boston Road, Wilbraham. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham.

There will be a committal service in the spring at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to the "Soldiers' Home in Holyoke," 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, or to "Hospice Life Care," affiliated with the Holyoke VNA, 113 Hampden Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.