George O. Lawrence, 92, Ellicott City, Md., formerly of Monticello, passed away at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, surrounded by his family.He was born on Aug. 31, 1924, in Ogdensburg, N.Y. to the late George O. and Ethel (Wells) Lawrence. On Nov. 24, 1945, he married the former Martha Francis in Lisbon, N.Y., and she survives.George attended Ogdensburg Free Academy and George Hall Trade School. He did dairy farming in northern New York with his dad before getting married in 1945. He continued farming until the St. Lawrence Seaway started in 1955. He went to work for Peter Kiewit & Sons and continued until the completion of the Seaway.In 1959 George continued marine dredging with Kiewit and traveled to New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Indiana, and returned to his home state of New York where he retired from construction. After that, he built a log home from their own timbers where they lived until 2004. He was a member of the Waddington Masonic Lodge and a member of the Monticello United Methodist Church. He enjoyed beekeeping, woodworking and traveling. George and Martha traveled to most of the states including Hawaii and Alaska and enjoyed numerous cruises. Beekeeping became a passion that he shared with his wife, Martha. Their hives produced honey in the summer in New York and vacationed for the winter in Florida. After 10 years of beekeeping, his love of woodworking became his new passion. George and Martha were at juried craft shows and met many wonderful people. Due to health reasons in 2004, they relocated their homes to Georgia and Indiana to be closer to their son, Steve, and daughter, Donna. Then in 2008, the snowbirds became permanent residents of Indiana. Full time care started in 2014 with wonderful caregivers. His health continued to decline and they moved to Baltimore, Md., in 2016 to be cared for by their daughter, Diane and her husband, Bob.He is survived by his children, Steven (Nancy) Lawrence, Albany, Ga., Donna (Ron) Matthews, Monticello, Diane (Bob) Adams, Ellicott City, Md.; brother, Glyndon (Sharon) Lawrence, Florida; sister, Eletha (Frances) White, Florida; grandsons, Christopher Ryan-Lawrence, Douglas Kingsley, Ryan Kingsley, Robert Adams; granddaughters, Angela (Kingsley) Buhr, Sherri (Lawrence) Wright, Abigail (Adams) Moffett; great-grandchildren, Brett, Jake, Hannah, Colby, Dylan, Ellie, Noah, Lizzy, Bekah, and Noah.He was also preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Lawrence, Gwendolyn Woods and infant brother, Ersel Lawrence.The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services celebrating George's life at noon at Monticello United Methodist Church, with his grandson-in-law Steve Buhr officiating services.Memorial contributions may be given to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 900 Cooper St., Jackson, Mich., 49202, White County Food Pantry or the Monticello United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.Messages of condolence may be extended at
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