Albert Charles Lawrence

Albert Charles Garvin Lawrence, 88, of Lowville, NY, and more recently Fort Collins, CO, was called home to the Lord on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, following a fall from which recovery proved too difficult. Al was born in Great Bend, NY, on July 2, 1925. As the son of a Methodist pastor, Rev. Albert Aiken Lawrence, and his wife Lelah Moore, he also lived in Depauville, Turin, Natural Bridge and Lacona, where he graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 1942. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Grace Bishop 1996; his brother, Ernest "Vic" Lawrence 2011, and his wife, Genevieve 2011. He is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Aboutok of Bozeman, MT, and Alberta Hamlin of Clay, NY, many nieces and nephews and their families, and his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Allen Kenyon of Fort Collins, CO. Al has three grandchildren: Grace 13, Anna 11 and John 8. After a brief time in aircraft mechanic school, Al joined the U.S. Navy August 10, 1943. Assigned to the "SEABEES," the construction battalions, he was sent to Palmyra, an atoll in the South Pacific. There his unit constructed an airstrip for planes needing to refuel. He was honorably discharged on March 16, 1946. With the help of the GI Bill, and by doing any odd job available, such as shoveling coal or snow, he was able to find rooms in homes near Syracuse University and attend the NYS School of Forestry. In 1950 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He spent two summers at tree line on Colorado's western slope studying the damage of the Engleman Spruce beetle. Al took a job in Dadville in 1952 at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. In 1954 he started his career with Lewis County becoming Highway Maintenance Supervisor and serving briefly as MEO of the Highway Dept. In 1971 he was appointed the county's first director to the newly established Real Property Tax Service Agency. He retired in 1987 and became a volunteer advocate for seniors in Lewis County, concerned with their insurance coverage and adequate housing. On July, 21, 1956, Al married Genevieve Elizabeth Smithling, of 5352 Waters Terrace, Lowville, NY. Together Al and Gen served the community of Lowville throughout their lives. They were members of First Presbyterian Church and served many terms as deacon, trustee and elder. Al was a long-time member of the Elks Lodge #509, the American Legion Memorial Post #162, the Lowville Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the Lewis County VFW Post #6912, and the Lowville Chapter of Royal Arch Masons #223. Albert C. Lawrence was willing to help anyone get a job done right, and he succeeded in helping many, many people. He will be remembered for his fun-loving, easy-going and generous spirit, and his love of ice cream, crafts, golf and the outdoors. Memorial Day will never be the same in Lowville without Al marching in the parade and welcoming all to a cookout in the driveway by the park. Memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins or Lowville or to a forest-friendly organization of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:30p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins, 531 S. College. Reverend Cindy Frost will officiate the service.