Lawrence “Mac” McPeake

AUBURN – Lawrence “Mac” McPeake, 81, of Auburn, died at his home with his loving wife and daughter at his side on Dec. 17, 2025.

Mac grew up in Pennsylvania and was a graduate of King’s College. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1962. Eventually he was stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station Patrol Squadron 26 as a radioman. He remained at Brunswick, extending his service several times, because his squadron kept being deployed to new places that he wanted to see.

While in Maine, Mac was lucky enough to meet Alice Turcotte and convince her he was “the one”. He completed his last tour of duty in Thailand/Vietnam, and returned to Maine in June 1968 and they were married. Maine became his home and Alice’s large Turcotte family became his Maine family. In Maine he made lasting friends who supported him to the end of life. His love for his McPeake family was a constant in his life and he made sure they knew of his love through weekly phone calls, their family work weekends at their homes, their work weekends here in Maine, as well as family vacations.

In October 1973, his beloved daughter, Laura, was born. She was the light and love of his life right up to his last breath. As a bonus she gave him a wonderful grandson, who Mac loved dearly. Mac, Alice and Laura were lucky enough to travel and share many adventures together. After their retirement Mac and Alice continued their travels visiting countries on six continents, as well as traveling the United States.

Mac was a kind, gentle man who spent most of his business life in public relations. This was a perfect career for him as he loved meeting new people and learning about them and their lives, and he always had another question for them. Throughout his career he found ways to volunteer in the community.

He was a 50-year member of the Rotary, and a past president of the Lewiston/Auburn Rotary Club. He was the past president of Androscoggin Fish and Game where he enjoyed shooting trap many a Sunday mornings.

He served on Maine’s Literacy Program Advisory Board and received the Governor’s service Award. A founder of the Lewiston/ Auburn Library BookReach Program, as well as a 27-year reader for BookReach where he became “Mr. Mac” to many, many local children. “Mr. Mac” loved doing the readings, he used different voices, had side conversations with the children about the stories as he was reading, asked them question and their opinions. He enjoyed reading as much as his audience enjoyed listening. The success of the BookReach Program gave him great joy and was one of his proudest achievements.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Alice Turcotte McPeake; daughter, Laura Hayes McPeake; grandson, Baxter Mangrum; godchild, Cynthia Turcotte; twin sister, Sarita Hunter, sister, Ellen McPeake, sister, Patricia McPeake, brother, Steve McPeake and wife Gail, brother-in-law, Michael Carr; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Lawrence was predeceased by his parents Richard and Beatrice McPeake; brother, Christopher McPeake, brother-in-law, Jay Smith and brother-in-law, Michael Hunter.

A visitation and time of celebration will be held Friday, Jan. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Fortin and Pinette Group, 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway Lewiston, ME 04240. Family and friends are invited to share memories and words of Condolences at thefortinpinettegrouplewiston.com.

In lieu of flowers,

the family would ask that

donations be made to the

Mr. Mac Fund

C/O The Lewiston

Public Library

200 Lisbon St.

Lewiston, ME 04240