The Village of Gouverneur office and department of public works will close on Thursday at 1:30 a.m. so that officials and staff can attend the funeral service of their beloved colleague Trustee Nelson Lawrence.
Nelson's obituary is published below:
Nelson Lawrence
Nelson Lawrence of Gouverneur, NY lost his 10-month battle with Pancreatic Cancer on January 13th, 2018 at his home in the loving arms of his wife, Donna and daughter, Lisa while surrounded by his family.
Calling hours will be held at Greens Funeral Home, 33 Park St., Gouverneur, NY on Wednesday, January 17 from 12-2 pm and 5-7 pm. Memorial mass will be held on Thursday, January 18 at St. James Catholic Church, 164 East Main St. Gouverneur, NY. at 11 a.m.
Nelson was born on September 28th, 1936 in Syracuse, NY to Clinton and Olga Lawrence. In 1946, his family moved to the Star Lake area where his parents bought and ran The Benson Mines Hotel. He graduated from Clifton Fine Central School in Star Lake, NY.
He joined The US Army in 1960 and was stationed for two years in Germany where he spent his Saturday mornings showing the children in his neighborhood U.S. cartoons and became known as “The Movie Man”.
In 2000, Nelson and his wife Donna started what is known today as The Lawrence Manor B&B and Motel at 214 East Main Street Gouverneur, NY. His mornings were filled with preparing breakfasts, sharing stories, and telling tall tales with the many guests that filled the breakfast room. When his wife Donna was asked during an interview at one time, what she would contribute the success of The Lawrence Manor compared to other B&B’s, her answer simply was “No other B&B has a Nelson”. In 2001, he retired from Viking Cives of Harrisville as a sales manager of 33 years.
Besides his wife of 26 years, Donna, he is survived by his daughter, Lisa Bango, of Harrisville, NY, his stepchildren, Amy Jo McIntyre of Rossie, Eddie Dowling of Star Lake, and his niece/ daughter, Courtney (Luke) Weldon of Dallas, GA. Granddaughters, Megan (Matt) Brown of Fowler, NY, Jonnilyn and Jamie McIntyre of Rossie, Eddie (Peanut) Dowling III of Star Lake, NY, as well as Mattis and Finnegan Weldon of Dallas, GA and great granddaughter, Mattie Clare Brown.
His sister, Patricia Langevin, Sylvia Lake and sister-in-law, Delores (Tootie) Lawrence of Ocala, FL along with his mother-in-law Alberta Jenks of North East, PA also survives him.
He is predeceased by his parents, Clinton and Olga Lawrence, sister, Rita, brother, Chuck, brother- in -law and nephew, Frank and Greg Langevin and his father-in-law Michael Jenks
At the time of his death, he was serving his second term as a Trustee of the Village of Gouverneur Board. He is a past board member of the Gouverneur Country Club and also was a member of the Gouverneur Lions Club.
Besides his love of traveling with his wife, Donna, and spending time with his best friends, his hobbies included golfing and boating on the St. Lawrence River but his biggest joy of all was being called “Dah” by his grandchildren.
His beautiful smile, twinkling eyes and friendly personality only meant, to know him was to love him and you would have a forever friend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gouverneur Community Center in memory of Trustee Nelson Lawrence, earmarked for a special fund that was dear to his heart. Donations can be sent to the Village of Gouverneur, 33 Clinton Street, in care of Barbara Finnie.