Archie Lawrence

It is with great sadness that we announce that Archie Lawrence, in his 94th year, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 22nd, at Rockwood Terrace in Durham. Archie was born and raised on the family farm on the Baseline Road in the former Glenelg Township on July 21st 1922, where he lived and worked for seventy years before retiring to town. Archie had many wonderful memories of working on the farm, time spent with family and of school years at S.S. #9 on the 2nd Concession just south of Eckhardts. Archie was a committed, life long farmer, who with his wife Norma worked 400 acres including a mixed operation, as well as a dairy operation of 40 Holsteins. Many young people in the area came to work on their farm over the years. Although agriculture occupied much of his life, Archie enjoyed playing euchre, listening to fiddle music and an evening of dancing. He loved Norma's cooking and baking, as did the farm help. After retirement and Norma's passing, Archie spent many hours driving the back roads, the streets of Durham, observing, visiting and enjoying a meal at local restaurants. Archie is pre-deceased by his wife Norma Jean Lawrence (nee Lindsay), his father Robert John (Bob) Lawrence, his mother Catherine (nee McCuaig), step mothers Mary (nee McCuaig) and Faith (nee Brown), by his sister Dorothy Aljoe, his brother-in-law Allan Lindsay, sister-in law Edna Trafford and sister-in-law Helen Kirby-Small. Archie is survived by his sister Mary Sharpe (nee Lawrence), his brother in-law Charlie Sharpe, by his sister-in-law Edith and her husband Don Wellwood of London and their children Scott and Bernice and by his sister-in-law Marilyn Lindsay. Archie will be sadly missed by his nephew Robert Aljoe and wife Patricia, his great niece Sandra and great nephews Trevor and Trace. Also missed by his nephew Darryl Aljoe and his wife Roberta and great nephews Devon and Darren. Also greatly missed by his close friends Peter and Mary Anne Fallis, Robert and Laura Cannon-Sherlock, their sons Tristan and Bronwen, Wayne and Linda Mighton of Bayfield, their daughter Angela Harrison and Deanna and Don Foster. Special appreciation and gratitude is extended to the staff of Rockwood Terrace. Each and every member of the staff should take great pride in the tireless dedication that each has shown in providing the wonderful care, tremendous kindness that allowed Archie to call Rockwood a loving home since May 2011. Archie was very concerned about the County's recent closure considerations which threatened his home. The staff and the facility is indeed a treasure.

A celebration of Archie's life will be held at The Lawrence Family Chapel at the Trinity Anglican Cemetery, 393584 Concession 2, RR#1 Durham, on Wednesday, October 26th at 1 p.m. Interment to follow at Trinity Anglican Cemetery.

Archie loved flowers. Alternatively, donations would be greatly appreciated to the Durham and Community Health Care Foundation or the Rockwood Terrace Foundation.