In the early morning hours of Wednesday January 16, 2025, Lawrence Stanley Caldwell died peacefully with his loving wife Ruth (Struthers) by his side. Lawrence lived a long, wonderful life and will be dearly missed by his admiring children, grandchildren and great grands.
Lawrence was born on June 9, 1928 as the youngest child of Priscilla (White) Caldwell and Robert John Caldwell. The Caldwells were a kind, cheerful, hardworking lot who loved to laugh and share funny stories and witty sayings, often centring around their rural life and the many colourful characters in the neighbourhood on the Tenth Concession of Bruce County, near Paisley, Ontario.
Lawrence attended the local one-room school and was a promising student, graduating with honours from 8 th grade which he accomplished in 7 years. He had planned to attend high school, but with the outbreak of World War II in Europe, his older brother William enlisted in the Royal Air Force and Lawrence was needed to help his father on the farm. Farms were so important in the war effort.
As a young man, Lawrence spent several years working on the family farm as well as for other neighbouring farmers, before pursuing a career in carpentry. He began learning the carpentry trade while building cottages on the shore of Lake Huron near Port Elgin. Looking to advance his horizons, he eventually moved to Kitchener where he met and married a young nurse, Ruth Struthers. Together, Lawrence and Ruth built a happy home for their four children in the Hopewell neighbourhood of Preston.
Lawrence lived a long and active life, full of many interests. He read widely, always a student of history, politics and world events. An avid sports fan, Lawrence followed major league baseball and the original six NHL hockey teams. In addition to his home life and running his own carpentry business, he was involved in a number of other organizations over the years, ranging from Junior Farmers, numerous political campaigns, and volunteering for GriefShare and The Gideons International. Serving God in his local church was very important to Lawrence. He held many leadership positions including Treasurer, Deacon and Elder. Lawrence is blessed with a large circle of friends at Temple Baptist Church as well as in the Fairview Seniors Community.
Lawrence was predeceased by his young son, Paul William Caldwell, who died tragically in a farm accident in 1968. Paul was in his third year at the time of his death. In addition to Paul, Lawrence was predeceased by his dear parents, Priscilla and Robert and loving siblings Ruby Hammond, William Caldwell and Verna Martin. Lawrence is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Ruth (Struthers) and their three children, Anne Caldwell Knowles (John Wasileski), Janice Caldwell Boucher (Mario Boucher), Mark Caldwell (Kate Lee). Seven grandchildren also survive, Craig Boucher (Laura), Guy Boucher, Jason Knowles (Abbey), Jonathan Knowles (Meredith), Jasmine Heaps (Callum), Brooklyn McMullen (Garret), and Kelsey Caldwell. Lawrence was blessed with nine beautiful great grandchildren. In addition to these immediate family members, Lawrence regularly kept in touch with a number of nieces, nephews and several cousins.
Ruth Caldwell and all the family would like to extend their deep appreciation to all the kind and skillful staff at Fairview Seniors Community and the Emergency Room staff at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. The consistent compassionate support of Fairview Chaplain Niamh Brown went far beyond expectations. Thank you, Niamh. Additional thanks to the Langs Clinic, Dr. Andrea Martin and Nurse Practitioner, Joanne Vickers for providing outstanding medical care to Lawrence for many years.
Additionally, Ruth and family would like to offer special thanks to Pastor Stephen Limmer for his caring leadership and support of the Caldwell family at the time of Lawrence’s passing. The efforts of the Temple Baptist Church hospitality team are sincerely appreciated. Thank you all.
Visitation hours will be on Monday January 20 th from 6 PM until 8 PM and 10 AM on Tuesday January 21 st at the Temple Baptist Church, 400 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge, Ontario. Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday January 21 st at 11 AM, Temple Baptist Church. Luncheon will immediately follow the service with interment at 2:15 PM, Park Lawn Cemetery, Cambridge Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to ShareWord International, Temple Baptist Church and Fairview Seniors Community.
Funeral arrangements made through Lounsbury Funeral Home, Franklin Boulevard, Cambridge Ontario.
