Lawrence R. Bird

Lawrence R. Bird, 79, died January 2, 2010, at home after a brief illness. Mr. Bird was born on June 15, 1930, in Oneida, NY. He moved to Laurel, MD at age 12 and has lived there ever since. He earned a CPA certificate and a law degree, and was employed by Riggs, Counselman, Michaels & Downes, Inc., in Baltimore, MD for most of his career holding the office of CFO when he retired in 1995. Mr. Bird was an active member of his church and community. He was a member of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel all his adult life, participating in many volunteer activities including Boy Scout leader and board member of St. Vincent Pallotti High School. He served the City of Laurel in various capacities since 1970, including 17 years on the Planning Commission, 9 of them as chairman, and most recently as chairman of the Laurel Pension Board of Trustees. Since his retirement he volunteered with the Knights of Columbus, the Atlas Group, Friends of the Laurel Library and Meals on Wheels. Mr. Bird is survived by Jane, his wife of 54 years; his five children, Rebecca Bird and spouse, John Hillstrom, of Earlysville, VA; Edward Bird and spouse, Jennifer Gold, of Bethesda, MD; Amy McAlister and spouse, Don McAlister, of Apex, NC; Teresa Dineen and spouse, Tim Dineen, of Cranford, NJ; Peter Bird and spouse, Tanya Tenkarian of Hollis, NH; and sixteen grandchildren. Friends and family will be received at Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Ave., Laurel, on Friday, January 8, 2010, from 2-4 pm and from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 114 St. Mary�s Place, Laurel, on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:30 pm. Inurnment will follow the Mass in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary�s Building Fund.