Obituary of Robert E. Lawrence

Robert E. Lawrence, Jr., 65, of Uniontown, passed away peacefully June 18th after fighting the good fight against cancer. Born in Barberton, OH on September 10th 1946, and a lifelong resident of the Akron/Canton area, he was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Lawrence Sr., and is survived by his wife Sharon; sons Michael (Jennifer) and Christian (Tia); daughter Cory Kessler (Nate); sons James (Patty) and Christopher (Cassandra) VanZant; mother Margaret Lawrence (Schmitt); brother David (Irene); sisters Roberta Lamont (George) and Peggy Beach (Danny); grandkids Abby, Craig, Hallie, Noelle and Ella Lawrence, Benjamin and Ryan Kessler, and Celina, Caleb, Caitlynn, and Cierra VanZant, and Melissa and Vicki Prease, and Christian and Donavon Hoover, and Great grandson Landon Hoover, along with numerous in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. A 1964 graduate of St. Vincent High School, he subsequently graduated from Kent State with a degree in accounting. Robert touched many lives along the way, from family and friends to co-workers and passing acquaintances. A longtime CPA and avid golfer, he retired from Union Metal in Canton in 2001, but never retired from the course, even hitting his first ever hole-in-one in March of this year, at the same time he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Robert was fortunate enough to see much of the world, but some of his best moments were at home. A devoted son, husband, father and grandfather, he never tired of spending time with family and friends, opening his home to guests day or night, invited or not. (He also made the world's best pancakes.) He kept smiling and joking and stayed strong right to the end. Smart, funny, dedicated, hard-working and loving, he was a man we'd all want to emulate, but no one could ever duplicate. The family will receive friends and family Friday, June 22, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony & Son Funeral Home of Green, 4178 Massillon Road (corner of Steese and Massillon Roads, entrance off Steese). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Randolph. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Akron/Canton Regional Food Bank, 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307 or East Gate School, 2121 Ashland St., Louisville, OH 44641. (Anthony Funeral Home, Green, 330.899.9790, www.anthonyfh.com)