Robert B. Lawrence of West Warwick died at home on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the age of 74. Son of the late Albert and Lorraine (Hesketh) Lawrence, Bob spent much of his life in the Stadium neighborhood of Cranston, growing up on Jordan Avenue and living with his wife and son on Pomham Street for nearly thirty years.
Bob – known to some as Bobby – was a quiet but sometimes feisty man who enjoyed fishing, golf, and practical jokes. In his younger days he rode a motorcycle, smoked Marlboro Reds, and worked as a long-haul truck driver. He was extremely reserved with his emotions, but he bowled a perfect game (more than one, actually) and sometimes told completely fabricated stories about his time as a heart surgeon in Bombay. He was often bored by adults, but children loved his enthusiasm for water balloons.
Bob met his future wife Valerie I. Angelone at Hugh B. Bain Junior High School, and they both graduated from Cranston High School East in the Class of 1970. Robert worked as a truck driver for most of his life, finishing his career at Synagro Technologies in Woonsocket. In his final years he was a tireless full-time caretaker for his wife.
In addition to Valerie, Bob is survived by his son Matthew R. Lawrence, Matthew’s long-term partner Jason P. Tranchida, sisters Diane Wright and Lori Lawrence Messier, and thirteen beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were limited to close family. Bob is buried at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Samaritans of Rhode Island. (https://www.samaritansri.org/).
