Obituary of Donald Stephen Lawrence

Donald S. Lawrence, 82, of Morgantown, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Monongalia General Hospital. Don was born in Morgantown on August 18, 1933, the son of the late Stephen and Mary (Becilla) Lawrence. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Don was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served his country in the United States Army. He was a 1951 graduate of St. Francis High School and attended Notre Dame University where he became a life long Fighting Irish fan. Don was the self employed owner of Lawrence Quality Snacks and introduced the Morgantown area to a wide variety of new snack products for over four decades. He was proud to have built a strong relationship with his customers which helped pave the way for a successful family business. For several years, he coached in the Morgantown baseball association. He was so proud of his grandchildren, their accomplishments and watching their extracurricular activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed donating his time helping others which included Meals on Wheels. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose Ellen (Vecchio) Lawrence; children, Stephen Lawrence and his wife Janet of Morgantown, Dawn Renee Brouwer and her husband Thomas of South Windsor, Connecticut, and Andrew Lawrence and his wife Christine of Morgantown; grandchildren, Alicia Wallace and her husband Robert, Ashley Petak and her husband Matthew, Nicholas Lawrence, Joseph Brouwer, Michael Brouwer, Matthew Brouwer, Drew Lawrence, and Nicole Lawrence; great granddaughter, Harper Rose Wallace; sister, Patricia Prudnick and her husband Ralph; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his aunts and uncles, Andy Becilla, Joe Becilla, Ann Fatt, Helen Lawrence, Kathryn DuBois, Julia Jefferys, and Jane Whitesell. Mrs. Lawrence and family would like to express their sincere thanks to the many doctors, nurses, and caregivers over the years who helped care for her husband, our dad, and granddaddy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Lawrence’s name to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508. Friends and family will be received at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, on Wednesday, April 27th from 3-8 PM. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at the church on Wednesday at 4 PM with Sister Nancy White. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, April 28th from 11 AM until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon with Father Richard W. Shoda as celebrant. In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated and private burial will be held at a later date.