Anthony Peter Lawrence (nee Wawrzynkiewicz) passed away the way he lived his life, with gentle dignity on December 19, 2014. Tony was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 9, 1925 the fourth of five children, to Anthony Peter Wawrzynkiewicz and Charlotte Swiatlowski.
Tony's early family life and schooling at St. Hyacinth's formed his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church and pride in his Polish heritage. He particularly enjoyed the polkas which he performed throughout his life, a dizzying series of hops and twirls that left his dance partners and spectators alike breathless.
He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1944 and earned a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., eventually serving in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters ferrying troops and equipment home.
After his service, he returned to Detroit, completing his Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering at the University of Detroit.
In 1950, he married Camille Sobocinski with whom he had a daughter, Lee - Alane Abrams (Dave) of San Diego. Following Camille's untimely death, he married Rosemarie Zaglaniczny in 1957. He shared a lifelong romance with her until her death in 2006. Together they had four children, Debbie Valus (Ron), Kevin (Abby), Bryan (Christina) and Marie, whom he supported unquestioningly whether helping remodel a kitchen, paying tuition bills for that fifth (!) year of school, helping to move, or any number of other tasks.
He found a professional home at Cunningham Limp Co. (CL), where he spent 25 years rising from Architectural Draftsman to Vice President and Director of European Operations. A three month assignment in Brussels, Belgium in 1963 turned into a 13 year stay. Tony loved his time in Europe with his family, travelling, soaking in the history and culture, and developing many lifelong friends among both his Belgian neighbors and fellow expatriates.
Returning to Ohio, he started a new phase of his career with CL in sales, distinguishing himself against long odds by landing Honda's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. He and Rosemarie quickly established roots in Westerville, especially in the St. Paul parish, where he pursued his lifelong passion for music as a member of the choir for over 30 years.
A longtime member of the Westerville chapter of SERTOMA, he enjoyed the group's breakfast meetings and "relished" his time on the "Brat Squad" selling sausages at outdoor events and festivals. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand humbly and competently.
Even in his last years, he dealt with his advanced prostate cancer and dementia without complaint and to the end thanked his caretakers for their help. His gentle nature served as a calming force to those who met him, and he will be sorely missed.
Beloved brother of the late Delphine, late Stanley (Helen), late Albin (Mary, deceased), and Helen Abraham (Julius, deceased). Dearest grandfather of Melissa and Matthew Valus (deceased), Josef and Adam Lawrence, Tomasz and Anna Lawrence; treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
Tony's early family life and schooling at St. Hyacinth's formed his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church and pride in his Polish heritage. He particularly enjoyed the polkas which he performed throughout his life, a dizzying series of hops and twirls that left his dance partners and spectators alike breathless.
He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1944 and earned a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., eventually serving in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters ferrying troops and equipment home.
After his service, he returned to Detroit, completing his Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering at the University of Detroit.
In 1950, he married Camille Sobocinski with whom he had a daughter, Lee - Alane Abrams (Dave) of San Diego. Following Camille's untimely death, he married Rosemarie Zaglaniczny in 1957. He shared a lifelong romance with her until her death in 2006. Together they had four children, Debbie Valus (Ron), Kevin (Abby), Bryan (Christina) and Marie, whom he supported unquestioningly whether helping remodel a kitchen, paying tuition bills for that fifth (!) year of school, helping to move, or any number of other tasks.
He found a professional home at Cunningham Limp Co. (CL), where he spent 25 years rising from Architectural Draftsman to Vice President and Director of European Operations. A three month assignment in Brussels, Belgium in 1963 turned into a 13 year stay. Tony loved his time in Europe with his family, travelling, soaking in the history and culture, and developing many lifelong friends among both his Belgian neighbors and fellow expatriates.
Returning to Ohio, he started a new phase of his career with CL in sales, distinguishing himself against long odds by landing Honda's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. He and Rosemarie quickly established roots in Westerville, especially in the St. Paul parish, where he pursued his lifelong passion for music as a member of the choir for over 30 years.
A longtime member of the Westerville chapter of SERTOMA, he enjoyed the group's breakfast meetings and "relished" his time on the "Brat Squad" selling sausages at outdoor events and festivals. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand humbly and competently.
Even in his last years, he dealt with his advanced prostate cancer and dementia without complaint and to the end thanked his caretakers for their help. His gentle nature served as a calming force to those who met him, and he will be sorely missed.
Beloved brother of the late Delphine, late Stanley (Helen), late Albin (Mary, deceased), and Helen Abraham (Julius, deceased). Dearest grandfather of Melissa and Matthew Valus (deceased), Josef and Adam Lawrence, Tomasz and Anna Lawrence; treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
Anthony Peter Lawrence (nee Wawrzynkiewicz) passed away the way he lived his life, with gentle dignity on December 19, 2014. Tony was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 9, 1925 the fourth of five children, to Anthony Peter Wawrzynkiewicz and Charlotte Swiatlowski.
Tony's early family life and schooling at St. Hyacinth's formed his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church and pride in his Polish heritage. He particularly enjoyed the polkas which he performed throughout his life, a dizzying series of hops and twirls that left his dance partners and spectators alike breathless.
He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1944 and earned a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., eventually serving in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters ferrying troops and equipment home.
After his service, he returned to Detroit, completing his Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering at the University of Detroit.
In 1950, he married Camille Sobocinski with whom he had a daughter, Lee - Alane Abrams (Dave) of San Diego. Following Camille's untimely death, he married Rosemarie Zaglaniczny in 1957. He shared a lifelong romance with her until her death in 2006. Together they had four children, Debbie Valus (Ron), Kevin (Abby), Bryan (Christina) and Marie, whom he supported unquestioningly whether helping remodel a kitchen, paying tuition bills for that fifth (!) year of school, helping to move, or any number of other tasks.
He found a professional home at Cunningham Limp Co. (CL), where he spent 25 years rising from Architectural Draftsman to Vice President and Director of European Operations. A three month assignment in Brussels, Belgium in 1963 turned into a 13 year stay. Tony loved his time in Europe with his family, travelling, soaking in the history and culture, and developing many lifelong friends among both his Belgian neighbors and fellow expatriates.
Returning to Ohio, he started a new phase of his career with CL in sales, distinguishing himself against long odds by landing Honda's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. He and Rosemarie quickly established roots in Westerville, especially in the St. Paul parish, where he pursued his lifelong passion for music as a member of the choir for over 30 years.
A longtime member of the Westerville chapter of SERTOMA, he enjoyed the group's breakfast meetings and "relished" his time on the "Brat Squad" selling sausages at outdoor events and festivals. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand humbly and competently.
Even in his last years, he dealt with his advanced prostate cancer and dementia without complaint and to the end thanked his caretakers for their help. His gentle nature served as a calming force to those who met him, and he will be sorely missed.
Beloved brother of the late Delphine, late Stanley (Helen), late Albin (Mary, deceased), and Helen Abraham (Julius, deceased). Dearest grandfather of Melissa and Matthew Valus (deceased), Josef and Adam Lawrence, Tomasz and Anna Lawrence; treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
Tony's early family life and schooling at St. Hyacinth's formed his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church and pride in his Polish heritage. He particularly enjoyed the polkas which he performed throughout his life, a dizzying series of hops and twirls that left his dance partners and spectators alike breathless.
He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1944 and earned a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., eventually serving in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters ferrying troops and equipment home.
After his service, he returned to Detroit, completing his Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering at the University of Detroit.
In 1950, he married Camille Sobocinski with whom he had a daughter, Lee - Alane Abrams (Dave) of San Diego. Following Camille's untimely death, he married Rosemarie Zaglaniczny in 1957. He shared a lifelong romance with her until her death in 2006. Together they had four children, Debbie Valus (Ron), Kevin (Abby), Bryan (Christina) and Marie, whom he supported unquestioningly whether helping remodel a kitchen, paying tuition bills for that fifth (!) year of school, helping to move, or any number of other tasks.
He found a professional home at Cunningham Limp Co. (CL), where he spent 25 years rising from Architectural Draftsman to Vice President and Director of European Operations. A three month assignment in Brussels, Belgium in 1963 turned into a 13 year stay. Tony loved his time in Europe with his family, travelling, soaking in the history and culture, and developing many lifelong friends among both his Belgian neighbors and fellow expatriates.
Returning to Ohio, he started a new phase of his career with CL in sales, distinguishing himself against long odds by landing Honda's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. He and Rosemarie quickly established roots in Westerville, especially in the St. Paul parish, where he pursued his lifelong passion for music as a member of the choir for over 30 years.
A longtime member of the Westerville chapter of SERTOMA, he enjoyed the group's breakfast meetings and "relished" his time on the "Brat Squad" selling sausages at outdoor events and festivals. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand humbly and competently.
Even in his last years, he dealt with his advanced prostate cancer and dementia without complaint and to the end thanked his caretakers for their help. His gentle nature served as a calming force to those who met him, and he will be sorely missed.
Beloved brother of the late Delphine, late Stanley (Helen), late Albin (Mary, deceased), and Helen Abraham (Julius, deceased). Dearest grandfather of Melissa and Matthew Valus (deceased), Josef and Adam Lawrence, Tomasz and Anna Lawrence; treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
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