Fr. Lawrence M. Cyman, OFM Conv., son of John and Veronica (Cwiklinska) Cymann, was born on August 14, 1883, at Tczew, Poland, where he was baptized with the name Franciscus (Franz). His family moved to the United States, and he received his elementary education in Buffalo, NY, and his secondary education at St. Francis College, Trenton, NJ. He entered the Conventual Franciscans at Syracuse, NY and professed his simple vows on October 6, 1901. His philosophical and theological training took place in Cracow, Poland and he was ordained on July 8, 1906.

Fr. Lawrence's first assignment took him to Corpus Christi Church, Buffalo, NY and he served there as a parochial vicar for eight years. At the Provincial Chapter of 1914, held in Buffalo, Fr. Lawrence was appointed Pastor of St. Stanislaus Church, Chicopee, MA. During his 25-year tenure as Pastor the following are recorded as his achievements: the construction of the main and two side altars by Mr. Francis Szumal, an architect from Poland; the purchase of the French Rectory of Our Lady of the Assumption, transported from the present site of the Chicopee High School, and added to the rear of the already existing parish friary, later veneered with red brick; the purchase of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land for the parish cemetery; the construction of a spacious and modern school in 1925. In 1939, at the Provincial Chapter held at St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate, Ellicott City, MD, Fr. Lawrence was elected the fourth Minister Provincial of St. Anthony Province, succeeding Fr. Justin Figas. As Minister Provincial for ten years, the following highlights are enumerated: transferal of the Province headquarters from Buffalo to Chicopee; the purchase of a 600 acre estate in Becket, MA; the canonical establishment of St. Lawrence Friary and Novitiate in Becket, MA; the establishment of a House of Philosophy at Ellicott City, MD; and the purchase of a residence in Allegheny, NY to serve as a House of Studies for the Friars attending St. Bonaventure University. During his administration the Province assumed the care of a number of parishes: Our Lady of Czestochowa, South Boston, MA; St. Michael the Archangel, Haverhill, MA; St. Stanislaus, Biswell, PA; St. Ann, Holsopple, PA; St. Stanislaus, Sharon, PA; and St. Francis Mission, Bessemer, AL. In 1946, the Province also assumed the administration of Bishop Ryan High School, Buffalo, NY.

On December 9, 1948, Fr. Lawrence was at Corpus Christi parish, Buffalo, NY to conduct the funeral of Fr. Alphonse Figlewski. At the conclusion of the service, Fr. Lawrence returned to the friary with his guest and visitor from London, the Most Rev. Joseph Gawlina, Bishop for the Military Forces. As they toured the friary, Fr. Lawrence mentioned the recent installation of the elevator. The doors of the elevator opened, and Fr. Lawrence entered, not realizing that because of an electrical problem, the car was not in position. Fr. Lawrence fell to the basement of the rectory. He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Buffalo and treated for a fractured knee. During the time of his convalescence, complications set in and pneumonia developed, causing his death on February 22, 1949, in the 65th year of his age, 46th of his religious profession and 42nd of his Priesthood. The Friars as well as the parishioners of St. Stanislaus Parish, Chicopee, MA, were greatly saddened by the notification of the death of the Minister Provincial. Two Liturgies of Christian Burial were celebrated. The first was at Corpus Christi, Buffalo, NY, Fr. Lawrence's home parish. Bishop O'Hara of Buffalo was the main celebrant, with a large number of Friars and diocesan clergy in attendance. The church was filled to capacity with the faithful parishioners, friends of Fr. Lawrence, City and State leaders. In view of Fr. Lawrence's long and faithful service, a second liturgy was held at St. Stanislaus Church, Chicopee, MA. A Pontifical High Mass was offered by the Most Rev. Thomas M. O'Leary, Bishop of Springfield, in the presence of a large number of religious and diocesan priests, local and State representatives, and a capacity number of the faithful parishioners. Despite the inclement weather, a severe snow storm, a large crowd came to pay their final tribute to their Shepherd. After the church service, the mortal remains were once again transferred to Buffalo, NY and laid to rest on March 1, 1949, in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo (Cemetery #2, "New Cemetery," Circle 1, Line 1, Grave 3). In addition to the above profile and short biography of a kind, exemplary Franciscan Friar, we must also note that before his election as Minister Provincial, Father Lawrence was the recipient of the "Gold Medal" and the Polonia Restituta Award for his distinguished service to the Polish people of his native Poland, as well as in the United States. In his early pastorate at St. Stan's, which were days of Depression, he became known as a "Good Samaritan," always ready to help financially and materially the people under his care. He was often called upon to deliver patriotic and special homilies for his preaching qualities and contents were admitted and cherished by his attentive audience.