SFC Edward C. Lawrence, US Army Ret., of Bedford died on July 28, 2012, following a brief illness at the age of 93.

He was born in Cambridge on October 26, 1919, one of 21 children born to the late George and Mary Lawrence.

He was raised and educated in Cambridge and lived there until he moved to Bedford in 1954.

He served his country in the US Army during World War II, Korea and the Vietnam Era.
He retired from the military after 20 years of service.

During the Depression he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps and served under the 173rd Company as a forestry truck driver. In later years, he worked for Mitre Corp. and was also a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired from the Germaine Lawrence School for Girls in Arlington where he was the supervisor of building maintenance.

Active in the community, he was a past President of the VFW in Waltham, a member of the American Legion Post 221 Bedford, the Frank W. Thompson Masonic Lodge in Lexington and a member of the Shriners and active advisor in the Rainbow Girls. Mr. Lawrence was a founding member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bedford and was very active in parish life.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Theresa (Cote) Lawrence, two devoted children, Brenda and Mark and his wife, Jeanette both of Bedford, three loving grandchildren, James, Nicole and Brian and great granddaughter, Briella. He was predeceased by all his siblings.

His funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 100 Pine Hill Rd., Bedford, Thurs., Aug. 2, at 10:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 The Great Rd., Bedford, on Wed., Aug. 1, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight New England, P.O. Box 16287, Hooksett, NH, 03106 or visit www.honorflightnewengland.org