GREGORY LAWRENCE

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

• Donna and family. This story goes back to 1966 when Greg and I met here in Ontario brought together by a mutual interest in a young sister, Arlene, who had moved back to Brampton with her folks from Winnipeg. Greg and I became fast friends and he invited me to work with him in the tobacco harvest in the summer of 66. We did it together in 67 and by that time either through Arlene or Diane or me I remember you and Greg started writing letters (ancient form of texting) and through that summer we eagerly awaited letters from you to him or from Diane to me. After Expo 67 in Montreal which we both attended Greg and I hopped into his 1959 $50.00 VW beetle and drove to his parents in Houston through a hurricane which poured water into the footwells inside while we drove on. After a few days, he drove me to the outskirts of Houston from which I hitchiked back to Wpg. Do you remember our weekend trips together from Elliot Lake to Wpg and back in a weekend - pre-kids? I remember golfing with Greg at the Kildonan course in the early 70's when you had moved to Wpg. Sadly, distance and family responsibilities impact friendships and we have not seen you or Greg except for funerals but we too have ultimate confidence that there will be plenty of times in the future to make up for this lapse. Jehovah will support and stengthen you. Of this we can be certain. You are in Diane and my prayers. John Eckmire - Posted by: John Eckmire (Friend) on: Sep 05, 2012

• Our Condolences go out to Donna and family. We were out of town and are very sorry we missed Greg's passing. I always enjoyed working with Greg and was always fun to be around. He will be missed. - Posted by: Brian & Polly Liebrecht (Freind/Co- Worker) on: Sep 03, 2012

• Since hearing the awful news about my Uncle Greg last week, I'v been assaulted by a lot of memories, someone who has been such a major part of my entire life. The best thing, all of those memories brought a smile, and sometimes, a bit of laughing out loud. The truth is, my Uncle Greg was ONE FUNNY MAN. He was one of those naturally funny people for whom the irony or just ridiculousness of a situation was never lost. AND, he'd do just about anything for a laugh. Once in Rome after a perilous taxi ride, he spilled himself out of the cab door onto the sidewalk, on his hands and knees, then kissed the pavement with a hugely audible sigh of relief - much to the shock and delight of the patrons sitting at the tables of an outdoor café. Or, there was the time we were all sitting around in a lounge in a posh hotel in London. A stereotypical lounge singer was crooning away dramatically - including mournful duets (by himself) from Phantom of the Opera. Greg was sitting with his back to the singer and impersonating him mercilously with exaggerated facial expressions and melodious, "Buh Buh buhbuh Buh Buh." the rest of us were in tears and some discomfort trying not to explode with laughter. We still marvel that we weren't thrown out of the hotel. I could go on and on. We all could. Of course, for a long time to come, those memories will be tinged with the deep sadness at not having Greg with us. Only time will make that easier, and for me, two other blessings that I can count. One, not only did I know Greg, I was related to him! I had a lifetime of all that entertainment! 2. Soon, he'll be with us, all his family and friends again, and entertaining us forever. - Posted by: Sarah Lawrence (Niece ) on: Aug 29, 2012

• Having a such a great hope for the future is a comfort for all those who deeply loved Uncle Greg. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of the family. Sent with much love from Oregon. - Posted by: The Hohl Family (Neice) on: Aug 27, 2012

• We are so saddened that a good friend and a spiritual brother has passed away. We met Greg and Donna at a congregation meeting in Waikiki during our first trip to Hawaii years ago. At that meeting we were hoping to meet local Hawaiians and not folks from Winnipeg. But it was just plain hard to resist their warmth and generous ways, and of course Greg's good humour. We will miss the hours spent on the lanai talking about the truth and enjoying Greg's humour as we watched the planes descending and taking off in the distance in the warm Hawaiian night. They were always one of the highlights of our trips to Hawaii. Greg, it was an honour and privilege to have known you as a friend and a spiritual brother. We miss you very much. Now you've given us another reason to remain steadfast in these last days so we can see you in the New System. Our heartfelt condolences to you Donna and the rest of your family. May Jehovah's promise of the resurrection provide you hope and comfort you all in this time of sorrow. With Much Love, Frank and Ruth Lee (Grandview Congregation, Vancouver, BC) - Posted by: Frank and Ruth Lee (Friends) on: Aug 27, 2012

• Our deepest sympathy and sincerest love to Auntie Donna and family. May you always be comforted by wonderful memories of your life together. Also knowing Jehovah will remember Uncle Greg for his faith and his kindness. He will be greatly missed by so many. Wish we were there to give you a big hug! Lots of love to you all. - Posted by: Jeff and Carlee (niece ) on: Aug 27, 2012

• I can't wait to see our good friend Greg again and give him a big hug. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love to the Lawrence family Rachel - Posted by: Rachel (Family friend for 15 years) on: Aug 26, 2012

• Donna, my sincere condolences to you and your family. While I don't know your pain, I do know it is painful. Jehovah God knows your pain, more than you can imagine. After Wilf passed away, I was weak, but I was also strong. I knew Jehovah was with me, helping me through those very dark days. He loves you too, he will there for you. I hope the memories you shared, will in some small way be a comfort to you. Love lives on forever in the heart. And in the future, we will have forever to be with our loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. - Posted by: Pat Green () on: Aug 26, 2012

• My sincere thoughts are with Donna, Melanie, Scott, Heather & Kevin at this very sad time. So very sorry for your loss. Melinda - Posted by: Melinda Tarves(Ozuk) (Family friend) on: Aug 26, 2012

• Trish and I first got to know Greg through his parents with whom we developed a strong bond in the Old Main Congregation of JW's in Houston, TX. When Greg and Donna visited from Canada with little kids near the ages of ours, the bond was instant. We fondly remember vacationing with them in Winnipeg. One morning Greg woke me to tell me there was a heat wave outside; we were going golfing. It was 40 deg. We'll miss him and his sense of humor. Donna, you have a good one too; rely on that and your wide circle of friends to be there for you through this. We hope to see you soon. - Posted by: James and Patricia Whitmoyer (Friends) on: Aug 26, 2012

• I know for a fact that Greg had a list of places in his head that he wanted to say that he had been to and, even though it wasn't always convenient, would snatch an opportunity if it presented itself. For instance, Sarah and I rode with them from Atlanta where we lived to Houston to visit Nana and Pops. We were driving straight through or - so I thought.... Sometime in the middle of the night I woke up from a little snooze and saw signs that indicated that we were just a short distance from the Georgia-Florida state line. Florida?? He muttered something about taking a wrong turn..... No. Adding an extra 2 hours to the trip was a small price to pay to be able to say he'd been to Florida! We've been countless other places together over our nearly 50 years of being related and the main thing is we've had a wonderful time and we're looking to many more trips in the not too distant future. He definitely went down the wrong road the other day and I'm sure it wasn't on his list of places he wanted to go. - Posted by: Aunt Bonnie (Sister-in-law) on: Aug 26, 2012

• We were saddened to hear of Gregs death. Our thoughts are with his family as they look forward to the time jehovah restores life to his faithful servants - Posted by: Ken and Judy Middlebrooks Prince Albert Sask. (friends) on: Aug 26, 2012

• Greg was 18 and pioneering in Glace Bay when I first met him when I came home from Halifax and wanted to spend a day in service. There were four of us out Diane Tuddy (about Greg's age) Danny Clark (my age) and me. It was Greg's idea to race the other two to our territory. So away we ran up the street down the snow covered rockie hill across the frozen brook, along the path, I got stuck a couple of times and Greg had to pull me out of snow that was well over my knees. Then laughing so hard we could hardly get our breaths had to climb an icy bank. Of coarse the other two followed with snow sticking to stockings and filling our boots we all had to go to a sisters house to warm up and dry out. The day is a wonderful memory. Tony and I send our condolences to you Donna and your family. I know you will look forward to every passing day for soon you will have Greg with you again ...Laura and Tony - Posted by: laura and tony dyck (friends) on: Aug 26, 2012

• My wife & I fondly remember Greg when we lived & pioneered together in Glace Bay in the early sixties. He was only about 17 or 18. - Posted by: John McCutcheon (cousin) on: Aug 26, 2012

• We will miss our vacation times together. We are happy that you were faithful for so many years and we look forward to seeing you again. - Posted by: John and Deborah White, Doug and Karen White (Family and Friends) on: Aug 26, 2012

• Greg will be remembered as a "jolly good fellow" who cared deeply for others but often hid that concern beneath caustic wit and sarcasm. He was a good friend. - Posted by: Linda and Roger Stewart (friends for over 40 years) on: Aug 26, 2012

• We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Donna and the family in the loss of their loving husband, father and grandfather. We will all sadly miss Greg, he was a terrific friend, great to travel with and to visit with as well. He had a marvelous sense of humour and enjoyed life to the full. He had a sincere love for Jehovah and his organization and we know he is resting peacefully in the sleeper car on his way to the resurrection. Greg, you should have taken better care of yourself and we wouldn't have to mourn your passing. With much love and affection, Norm and Dianne - Posted by: Norman & Dianne Pimm (Friends) on: Aug 25, 2012

• You were taken from us far too soon, you will be in our hearts and minds daily, you are an amazing husband/father/pops and a great friend to all that had the pleasure of knowing you. Your humour and quick wit, your stories and your love of travel, your love of coca cola and nuts and bolts a favourite that I used to make for you and a million other things that we used to do or talk about will never be forgotten. Love you soooooo much. - Posted by: Melanie (Daughter) on: Aug 25, 2012