1921 – 2015

NORWAY — Lawrence H. Thurlow Sr., 94, of Poland, passed away at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway on Sunday, Dec. 20.

He was born in Porter on Nov. 4, 1921, and lived in Poland for nearly his entire life. Lawrence was the son of the late Walter W. Thurlow and Mary F. (Small) Thurlow.

On Nov. 3, 1942, he married his beloved wife of 71 years, Jennie M. (Varrell) Thurlow. Very shortly after marrying Jennie, duty called. He served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Schroeder which was referred to as the luckiest ship in the Pacific Fleet as the ship’s crew never suffered a fatality despite seeing plenty of action. Once he returned home from the war, he and Jennie set to work creating a life for themselves. He began working at the AC Lawrence Leather Tannery on the day it opened and remained there until he retired.

Lawrence enjoyed playing horseshoes and was part of a league that had exhibitions at local fairs demonstrating their skills. If you played horseshoes with him, he would let you win every once in a while just so you would keep playing. He enjoyed baseball and played on a town team called the Poland Townies. Lawrence loved hunting and brook fishing. He had quite a sweet tooth and absolutely loved anything chocolate. He was a quiet man who did not talk a great deal to others. When he did talk, you knew you had better listen to what he had to say because it must be something important.

Lawrence is survived by his four children, Lawrence H. Thurlow Jr. and wife, Letha, of Poland; Dawn Brackett and husband, Gayland, of Poland; Patricia Daignault and husband, Daniel, of Auburn; and Virginia Johnson and husband, Joseph, of Buxton; seven grandchildren, Lawrence H. Thurlow III, Bethany Morrison, Tamara Holden, Andrew Daignault, Simon Daignault, Jennie Johnson and Macy Jo Johnson; as well as six great-grandchildren, Clayton Morrison, Brody Brackett, Tara Lawson, Aiva Brackett, Aurora Holden and Tyler Daignault; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jennie; and his siblings, Carl Thurlow, Walden Thurlow, Arthur Thurlow, Ralph Thurlow, Hazel Thurlow and their spouses.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.