Donald Lawrence

Barnstead – Donald "Don" Paul Lawrence, 87, of Barnstead, NH, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Epsom Healthcare Center. He was born on December 4, 1936 in Lake Placid, NY and was the son of the late Paul C. and Kathlyn I. (Queior) Lawrence. He was affectionately known as "Donny" to much of his extended family.
Don graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1954, then enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Soissons, France, where he met the love of his life, Claudette Germain. They married in Soissons on April 7, 1958. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1960 and returned to the US with his wife and oldest son, Mark, to begin their new life as a family. He worked for Boeing during a short residence in Louisiana, as well as General Electric in Syracuse, NY before becoming the business owner of a Mobil gas station in Liverpool, NY for most of the 1970s. He finally found his way back to Lake Placid in 1980 with his family and completed his employment career there. He most recently owned and operated a propane gas delivery business, North Country Propane, in Lake Placid before retiring in 1999. After retiring, Don and Claudette bought an RV and followed their dream of camping around the country, before settling in Bradenton, FL, where they became snowbirds and spent their winters until 2018. After that time, they made New Hampshire their year-round home.
Don was an active member and officer of the American Legion – Post 326 in Lake Placid for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors and deer hunting - participating in many hunting trips over the years with a group of family and friends. He loved country music, comedy shows, the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox, pecan pie, and a nice, rare steak with a glass of red wine. Anybody who knew him would describe him as the "clown" of the family – he loved making people laugh by acting foolish and was notorious for his silly faces. Above all else, he loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and "Pe-Pe".
Don is survived by his wife: Claudette Lawrence of Barnstead, NH; his children: Mark Lawrence and his wife Carol of Lake Placid, NY, Michael Lawrence and his wife Julie of Vermontville, NY, Claudine Lund and her husband Christopher of Barnstead, NH; his siblings: Gary Lawrence and his wife Mary, Margaret "Peggy" Patterson and her husband Alan, Patrick Lawrence and his wife Tina; his grandchildren: Meaghan Bailey, Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Lawrence, Lucas Lund, Lindsey Lund, Ryan St. Louis, and Laura Zeallor; his great-grandchildren: Ryleigh Guyette, Camden Guyette, Emerson Sayers; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service, followed by a celebration of life will be held in Lake Placid – details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org in Don's memory.
To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com.