Obituaries

Robert "Rob" John Lawrence, age 78, of Brimley, Michigan, died at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on February 28, 2024. He was born on January 6, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Robert “Bud” and Constance “Connie” (Moran) Lawrence.

Rob grew up in Brimley and graduated from Brimley High School with the Class of 1964. He met Kay Mackie in 1965 when the two were set up on a blind date for Kay’s senior prom. For their first date, Rob took Kay flying since he had earned his pilot's license when he was seventeen years old. They married on December 27, 1967, in Sault Ste. Marie. After graduation, Rob worked on lake freighters for a year before attending Lake Superior State University, where he graduated from the ROTC program in 1970. He enlisted in the United States Army and served before being honorably discharged as a Captain. Rob then went to work for the United States Customs Service, where he was a Supervisory Inspector and worked there for thirty years before retiring in 2001. After retiring, he worked as a driver for the Western Great Lakes Pilots Association.

Rob loved being outdoors and on the water. He built his own airplane, which he was very proud of, and enjoyed air sledding with his father. He also liked boating, sailing, flying model airplanes, watching tv, and spoiling his beloved cat, Leo. He was a neighborhood handyman, always willing to lend a hand to friends and neighbors in need. Rob was a huge history buff and could list the date of just about any event in history if you asked him. His best quality was his sense of humor and his ability to always make everyone around him laugh, inherited from grandparents in Vaudeville. Above all else, Rob had a strong Christian faith and loved his church, the First Congregational Church in Brimley.

Rob is survived by his wife, Kay Lawrence, of Brimley; sons, Rob (Nikki) Lawrence of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Tom Lawrence of Boston, Massachusetts; daughter Kayce (John) Carey of Larchmont, New York; daughter-in-law, Amanda Lawrence of Petoskey, Michigan; grandchildren, Andrew, Alex, Alyse, and Evan; sister, Jan (Dave) Trotter of Gladstone, Michigan; brother and sister-in-law, James (Janet) Mackie of Brimley; as well as many nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.

Rob was preceded in death by son, James Lawrence; parents Bud and Connie; father and mother-in-law, Jim and Doris Mackie; and brothers-in-law, Larry Schultz and Rich Marlowe.

Memorial Contributions can be made in Rob's name to the Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for this summer.

Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.