1943 – 2017

BUCKFIELD — Lawrence J. Manchester, 73, of Buckfield passed away Friday, Jan. 20, at his home.

He was born at the Osteopathic Hospital in Portland on Sept. 8, 1943, the son of Virgil Melville Manchester, D.O., and Juanita Crow Manchester. He graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1964, received certification from CMVTI and attended the Maine Maritime Academy. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968, a time that he greatly loved, especially his time in the Netherlands. He was a member of and worked out of Local 783, most of the time working at the paper mills, especially in Jay. He also worked at CMMC during some of their construction. He worked for a time at BIW and from there he retired.

Larry was always happy meeting new people and loved to listen to stories of older people. He felt he learned so much from them. He worked at a funeral home for a short time. People always felt he was so easy to talk with and very helpful. Larry was full of fun and laughter. He loved life in the country. He would watch the birds at his feeders year-round. He enjoyed the farm pond he made when moving to Buckfield. His garden was his pride and joy. He spent hours working in his garden and with his trucks and tractors.

Larry enjoyed dancing, especially the polka. Larry enjoyed the week of the Fourth of July with friends from Connecticut. They would camp at the campsite in his field with the farm pond and brook. He was a member of the John D. Long American Legion Post No. 58 in Buckfield.

He is survived by his significant other of 41 years, Donna M. Alexander; a sister-in-law, Melinda Manchester of California; and nephews, Coleman Manchester and family of Tucson, Ariz., and Christopher Manchester and family of California.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, J. Thomas Manchester. 

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