Geoffrey B. Lawrence

With his son at his side, Geoffrey Buchanan Lawrence, 81, of Block Island, RI peacefully passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023 due to complications from heart disease.

Born in Port Chester, NY, son of the late Douglass B. and Barbara Lawrence (née Slater), Geoffrey grew up on Nantucket, MA, where he developed a lifelong love of islands, the ocean, and living harmoniously with nature. He also developed a keen sense of humor and forged lifelong friendships. While on the island, he met and courted Martha Regina Ramsey: the two married in Barbados in 1969 and raised two sons in Dover, MA.

After earning a degree from Bowling Green State University, Geoffrey pursued education and taught at schools in St. Croix (USVI), Manhattan, and Milton, MA. Although he loved teaching, his true passion was carpentry – a trade he learned from his father on Nantucket. He spent the rest of his lifetime working as a carpenter (and never retired from the profession).

His other passion was Block Island, which reminded him of the Nantucket of his youth. What began as a summer tradition of renting a cottage became his year-round home for the last several decades. After moving to Block Island, Geoffrey spent nearly every night on the island, save for joyous visits with his grandchildren. An ardent conservationist, Geoffrey was involved with the Block Island Historical Society, the Nature Conservancy, and other causes designed to preserve and protect Block Island’s heritage and natural beauty.

Geoffrey loved being a carpenter on Block Island. In the 1980s, each year he would perform roofing work on alternate sides of (then) Dr. Brownlee’s house. In 1991, he hunkered down and rode out the Perfect Storm in an unwinterized house atop a knoll on the West Side.

Geoffrey is survived by his two sons, Matthew (Derek) of St. Petersburg, FL and Douglass (Meredith) of Wellesley, MA, along with his loving grandchildren, Kensei C. Lawrence, Daichi S. Lawrence, and Catherine M. Lawrence (Wellesley, MA). Geoffrey is also survived by his many, many dear friends who were woven into the fabric of his life on his beloved Block Island.

Geoffrey’s memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a time to be announced at the Island Cemetery, Block Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Geoffrey’s name would be appreciated by the Block Island Health Services’ Lights of Love campaign, Post Office Box 919, 6 Payne Road, Block Island, RI 02807.

Arrangements with HENAULT-GALLOGLY Funeral Home.  For information and condolences, please visit: henault-gallogly.com

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