Laurence E. Peaslee Sr., 85, passed peacefully with his immediate family by his side on Jan. 29, 2021 at the Gregory Wing in Boothbay Harbor.

He was born March 14, 1935 in Somerville to Guy Peaslee and Leola Benner Peaslee. He lost his Dad when he was only 16 and his Mother when he was 55. Laurence grew up in Somerville and attended local schools. He worked with his Dad and his siblings on the family farm and in the woods all through his youth. He and his older siblings worked hard to support the family after the loss of their father. He developed a strong work ethic; a trait he made certain to pass along to his own family.

Laurence was a marine worm digger from young adulthood until he retired at the age of 77. He also drove the school bus for the town of Edgecomb for many years. When he wasn’t on the shore he grew Christmas trees and cut and sold firewood. As many will recall he provided locals with their yearly Christmas tree well into his 80s. Laurence also planted and tended huge gardens every year to make sure his young family had plenty of fresh vegetables on their dinner plates. His kids all had to help weed and tend the garden. Fond memories of farm to table far more appreciated in adulthood than as children.

Laurence was an avid cribbage player and welcomed anyone to drop in for a game or two as well playing with his wife and rest of the family. Lawrence had formed a lasting relationship with his buddy, Bruce, and as they both went thru their recovery, they gave each other strength.

Laurence was an avid deer hunter and took great pride in teaching his sons the sport. He loved bowling and participated in leagues for many years. Laurence also loved music and enjoyed playing tunes on his harmonica. He wasn’t much of a singer, but he could yodel with the best of them. He especially enjoyed this to communicate his location to his sons when working in the woods. The family remembers, it was music to their ears when he would play his harmonica and yodel while his mother played the piano.

Laurence celebrated 37 years of sobriety this year! To say he was an active member of AA would be an understatement. Lawrence worked his program, shared his story, sponsored and helped many people on their road to recovery through AA. He studied the Big Book and was a reflective and prolific writer, journaling daily.

He will be remembered as a strong, kind, and giving man. Laurence had a very giving heart. His helping hand was always open, often meeting the needs of others even before his own. Some may think of him as man of few words, but those who knew him best will tell you it was his actions that spoke for his beliefs and convictions. He conveyed many important life lessons through his day to day actions. Family is most important, hard work pays off, honesty is the best policy, be kind and be grateful. Those who knew him well hold him in high regard for showing gratitude, being humble and kind. Forever our hero!

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Robert, Harold, Fred, Forest, Douglas, Aubrey, Freeman and Richard Peaslee; and sisters, Frances Montgomery and Evelyn Colby Gaboury.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Eleanor F. Peaslee of Boothbay Harbor, who he met in Boothbay Harbor when he headed for the coast from his farming town of Somerville. They bought their first house in Boothbay and later moved to Edgecomb to a bigger home to accommodate their expanding family. He is also survived by his seven children, five grandchildren and one great-grandson: daughters, Anne Peaslee and Bruce of Edgecomb, Sue Shifflett and her husband Skip of Boothbay Harbor, Tina Peaslee of Wiscasset, Theoetta Davis of Texas; sons, Joel Peaslee and Kristi of Boothbay Harbor, Cory Peaslee and his wife Kim of Edgecomb, Larry Peaslee Jr. and his wife Nancy of Edgecomb; brother, Guy Peaslee of Boothbay; sisters Marian Asdot of Wiscasset and Myra Cook of Florida; grandchildren, Brandon Harrington of Boothbay Harbor, Kori Shifflett of Illinois, Logan Shifflett of Portland, Draco Peaslee of California, Carina Peaslee of Boothbay; great-grandson, Deakon Harrington of Boothbay Harbor; several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the North Edgecomb Cemetery in the spring to be announced. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com