HOLLIS- Stephen Eric Lawrence, age 61, of Hollis, passed away on Jan. 11, 2024, in Boston, MA.
He was born in Quincy, MA, on June 29, 1962, a son of late Robert and Bettie (Armstrong) Lawrence.
He grew up in Brewer, Maine and was a 1981 graduate of Brewer High School. Stephen graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1985.
For 38 years, Stephen was employed by CN Brown, beginning in 1986. He started as a cashier and worked his way up the corporate ladder in several positions.
Stephen was always a giving man and participated in fundraisers including the MDA Miracle Ball, golf tournaments, MDA fundraisers at Portland Sea Dogs games, a 36-hour car wash, and a 24-hour rooftop “fill the boot” fundraiser for MDA.
Stephen loved being in the woods of Maine with his father learning how to hunt, fly fish. Stephen as a young boy felt larger than life being at camp with his Dad and his friends, listening to tall tales. They hunted, fished, walked, hiked every inch of Maine together.
On September 21st, 2018, he married the love of his life- Susan. He surprised her with a two week fully planned wedding and honeymoon that started in Las Vegas. They drove to Arizona for their marriage license in their blue Mustang convertible. They then drove to the Grand Canyon National Park for a sunset wedding upon Shoshone Point. The excursion continued to Sequia National and to San Francisco.
In the summer of 2023, he took his wife and dear friends Kenneth & Teri Caldwell to stay a week at Red River Camps to patiently teach his wife how to fly fish.
Stephen looked forward to retiring and traveling the world with his wife. He was a huge foodie and couldn't wait to wisk his wife Susan away to Rome, Italy to sample different foods and wines. He lived and breathed for his grandchildren he thought he would never have. He felt like a kid at Christmas when he heard “I love you Grandpa Steve.
Stephen was a very proud Freemason and member of the Knights Templar. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on June 2, 2012, into Orchard Lodge #215 in Old Orchard Beach. He was passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft on June 20, 2012, and raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason on July 18th, 2012. He affiliated with Harmony Lodge #38 on Jan. 6, 2021. He was also a dedicated member of York Rite Masonry. He was a member of York Royal Arch Chapter #5, Maine Council #7, St. Amand Commandery #20, DeValois Commandery #16, and Portland/St. Alban Commandery #2.
He is survived by his beloved wife- Susan; daughter- Sarah (Murray) Vittum and her husband Andrew; son- Scott Murray Jr and his girlfriend Lydia; grandchildren- Madison and Carleton Murray of Biloxi, MS, and Violet and Scarlet Vittum of So. Hiram, ME; mother-in-law- Diane Glidden whom he adored and loved; sister- Amy Lawrence Greene and her husband Steve of Portland; brother- Kenneth Lawrence of Hamden, Maine; and his Masonic brethren, especially Ken Caldwell, who have been so supportive.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday February 2nd from 5 - 7 PM at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St. (Rt. 25), in Cornish. A Masonic and Knights Templar funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday Feb. 3rd at 1 PM, all are invited to attend.