Lawrence Batchilder, (1943 - 2020) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Holy Lift'n

77 years old
Born on July 8, 1943 in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island , Canada
Passed away on October 16, 2020 in Bath, Ontario , Canada

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Lawrence Batchilder, 77 years old, born on July 8, 1943 and passed away on October 16, 2020. We will remember him forever.

We thought this online memorial would be a good way to share STORIES, pictures, and videos with each other as we are not able to gather together the way we normally would at this time.

From Paulette Batchilder on October 19, 2020:
      I would like to invite friends and family to share memories (serious & not-so-serious) of Lawrence. I just looked at all of the pictures and videos in the GALLERY. They remind me of such sweet memories! I am sure many of you have photos and STORIES to share that would bring comfort to our family.
        . . . Thank you to everyone who has reached out by phone or in person.

It is highly encouraged, I repeat, highly encouraged for people to share videos, pictures, and STORIES. We really want to hear from you all. And please spend some time with what others have left. You can actually message contributors by clicking on their name at the top of their entry! How's that for interactive!

In order to share, click STORIES. To see/share pictures or videos click GALLERY in top tab.

In some ways this type of memorial is better than being at a memorial in person. It allows for everybody to share STORIES, etc. . . . .which only have to be told once for many people to enjoy.

Thanks so much for your gift of visiting and sharing.

Tributes

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October 21, 2020

I have so loved reading all of these messages on here with names that are synonymous with Uncle Lawrencie and family. Martha! Earl! The Nieuwkoops! These are names of people that have always been part of the Ontario Batchilder celebrity!

We are heartbroken by this sudden loss and so genuinely understand the path of grieving. Robbie, Avery and I send you our support, prayers, light... whatever works for you... we sent in hope that it supports you through this time.

Uncle Lawrencie was a legend for the kids in my family growing up in PEI. In the 1970s and early 1980s we seemed to swap years as to who went for visits. One year, we would head for Bath (we never drove straight through) and the next year Uncle Lawrencie and crowd would arrive in PEI... often in the middle of the night with Dad roarin' "that foolish Lawrence drove straight through!" The next two weeks would be filled with endless games of Monopoly, Ramoli, lots of swimming and wandering around Georgetown to SHOW OFF that we had cousins from Ontario... and if we were very lucky... maybe the PEI Exhibition -- Old Home Week! By the way, one thing we always knew about Uncle Lawrencie... there would be no cheating in ANYTHING... no matter your age or your ability. He would roar it out! NO CHEATING!! Heaven help you if you got caught... the shame be upon you.

Uncle Lawrencie's generosity is what really speaks to me as reflect on his life. I can't tell you how many people I landed at his door with over the years. As I wrote a piece on my Facebook page, numerous friends from over the years chimed in with "I know your Uncle Lawrencie... I stayed at his place once with you... or Dad." Uncle Lawrencie and Aunt Paulette always welcomed us, fed us and found a bed for us. And something my father never did... but Uncle Lawrencie ALWAYS did ... was ask as I was leaving "do you have enough money?" What a treat!!

Perhaps that's why our parents chose them as guardians for us should anything ever happen to them. Of course, as little kids we talked about this endlessly... we didn't want to move to Ontario, but Uncle Lawrencie was more willing to give us money for the store... so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. lol I am confident Uncle Lawrencie and Aunt Paulette were elated the day Haley turned 18 and their obligation to take those 5 wild ones from Georgetown had concluded.

Of course I remember vividly the 8-inch wrench Uncle Lawrencie provided me with when I went off to theatre school -- complete with leather strap on the end and "Ontario Hydro" written on the side. I also remember him stopping in for lunch to visit me when I lived in Prescott once. I was so proud to serve him a dry hamburger (no ketchup to be found) with a tomato from my garden. He then queried me on why my carrots weren't coming up in the garden. I explained I followed the directions exactly as they were on the package and that it had taken me several hours to poke those holes and count out three seeds for each hole. He roared and laughed at my naivete, shook his head, and probably raced off to really get something to eat at Burger King.

If I were to end with words that resonate to describe Uncle Lawrencie, I would think of "passionate lover of all things family" or "profoundly generous" and "unmatched tradesman." He was indeed our "crazy uncle" that I highly recommend all families having... for they are the ones that touch you deeply, remind you of your values, and the ones you never forget. To our much loved Ontario family, we send our love... our sympathy... and our support. We may be far apart right now, but our thoughts and hearts are with you constantly.

October 16, 2021

It's hard to believe it's been a year today. Thinking of you Rory and family on this day. Much love, Kim, Cam and Ford

October 28, 2020

Many of my childhood memories involve the Batchilder family in some way. Neighbours across the road for many years, I have so many fond memories of my Mom and Dad taking me over to their best friends who had become family; Paulette and Lawrence's. One vivid memory I have is when P&L owned the Pizza Place in Bath, they stopped at our house on their way in one day and said 'you're coming to work' ... and that was my first job haha I was too young to make pizza so I answered the phone until I was old enough. That's just one that comes to mind but there are so many more. Trips to PEI and teaching me how to properly eat a lobster. A caring and genuine soul. Sending all my love to Paulette, Rory, Dawn, Tara, Debbie and family xo

October 25, 2020

Our deepest sympathies Paulette, Rory, Debbie, Dawn, Tara and all your families. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Some of our fondest memories of Lawrence are those summer visits to the green cottage - the best chowders, bonfires, and many laughs. May your memories help you through these difficult times. With love from Rachel, Darryl, Lesley, and Kenny.

October 25, 2020

My sincere condolences to Paulette, Rory, Debbie, Dawn and Tara .
I met Lawrence and Paulette thru Earl and Elaine. We were welcomed many times into your home when we visited Kingston. My funniest memory of Lawrence was when the guys were in Thunder Bay working and Lawrence had fell and gotten stitches in his head, I went to stay for a week with Glenn and Lawrence needed the stitches out but wouldn't go to the hospital so I took them out for him. He was always up for a laugh. Christine and Ken loved going to your house to visit the pond out back with Lawrence. Rest peacefully my friend.

October 22, 2020

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Lawrence. Though we only knew you through stories of your loved ones, we know you will be sadly missed by so many people. After reading the tributes and looking through the photos and videos, we can see you touched the lives of many. May you rest in peace Lawrence.

October 20, 2020

My thoughts are with you Paulette, Rory, Debbie, Dawn and Tara
Difficult times but wonderful memories

It has been far too many years, but I can only remember Lawrence with that joyful infectious smile that brought everything to life.
So many memories from both Murray Place and your Home in Bath are running through my mind. So sorry that it is a time like this that we have these amazing memories

Susan Reynolds ( nee Budarick)

October 20, 2020

I met Lawrence back in 1986 when Debbie and I were first year room mates at the University at Guelph. Debbie has always talked fondly of her Dad and had a funny Lawrence Batchilder story to share for most situations. The one thing I came to appreciate about Lawrence over the course of that first year at university is how he instilled frugality in Debbie. I had never heard of Value Village until I met Debbie and when the Penny Save came, she showed me how to find the good deals. And we can't forget the curbside shopping we did when it was amnesty garbage day in the neighbourhood!

More recently, I got to see Lawrence's great sense of humour. I was at Debbie and Lance's with my 2 boys and they were probably around 10 and 12. It must have been Canada Day because it seemed like there were a lot of people around. Anyway, a game of Euchre broke out and there was Lawrence playing with my two kids! I looked over and they were all laughing like crazy and I can't even remember why, I just remember him giving them the business about something and them laughing their heads off.

Over the 34 years of knowing Debbie and family I have been inspired by their connection through all the bad and all the good, all the ups and all the downs. They are truly a family who knows what it means to stick together and be there for each other no matter what. I hope you all find solace in each other during this difficult time, like you have done all your lives.

Love you to the moon Debbie Doo,
Marf XOXOXO

October 20, 2020

Hard to find words to express the loss I am feeling . Lawrence was an important figure in my life . I will always remember him as a dear friend with a wonderful sense of humor,a heart of gold ,and a kindness beyond description.
To Paulette ,my dearest friend ...to Rory and Ali, Deb and Lance,Terra and Sean ,Dawn and Paul and all the grandkids ,sending my sympathy and love during this time.
Margie and Larry xo

October 19, 2020

I always remember you giving Joan and I money so that Joan could fly to Georgetown for your dad's funeral. I had just accepted a new job in Stouffville Ontario and I hadn't been paid yet. I say giving because you never wanted it back.

Joan and I always knew that you would be there if we needed help.

Rest in peace my good friend

Moe

October 19, 2020

My wonderful brother! Gone so suddenly. I am so thankful that I had a chat with him a few days before. I will always remember you for your generosity and your kindness to Moe and I over the years. We have had many banterings and sarcastic fun over the phone. Will miss you , bro.

October 19, 2020

Ah, Lawrence, we were so impressed with your positive nature, your chuckle, and your technical expertise. Jim loved your shop and your tools. You were a very capable fellow. When we were connecting Rory's trailer to the septic tank, you broke everything down into nice, simple steps. Joan and I had the impression there was no physical problem you couldn't handle. Perhaps God has a need for a good pipefitter!

October 19, 2020

I am so sorry to hear about Lawrence, we had many good times together over the years. A memory that I often recall is about the first time I met Lawrence. Paulette invited our family to dinner and it was the first time I met Lawrence, Earl's boss. I finished my meal and had not eaten the crust of my bread. Lawrence said "Eat your crust." All I could think to do was ask for peanut butter or jam and proceeded to eat the crust. That was my first introduction to Lawrence's sense of humour.
Paulette, call anytime. Elaine

October 19, 2020

My sincere condolences to Paulette, Rory, Debbie, Dawn and Tara on the loss of your husband and father. I have a lot of memories of being your neighbour and friend. I know how hard this is to all of you, so take care and letting you all know I am really thinking of you all.

October 19, 2020

As a person in Dialysis in Napanee with Lawrence for the past 2 years I was happy to know him. The other people on the Mon,Wed. and Fri. also feel sorry and will really miss him He was very witty Happy man and will be missed very much. Rest in peace Lawrence We will miss you. Jim, Phil Bill and Linda.

October 19, 2020

I had the pleasure of caring for Lawrence in the health care setting for the past couple of years. He will be sadly missed by all here in the Napanee clinic. I will miss his smile and stories about family. Rest in peace Lawrence

October 19, 2020

So many memories with you and my Dad!! You were one tough duck Lawrence. You overcame so many things. You will always be remembered by so many. RIP my friend!! Sending much love to all the family

October 17, 2020

It’s been one heck of a journey. I am really happy I moved back from Nova Scotia after almost 30 years away. It's been so good to spend time nearby since 2008. I don't think any of us thought you would be around this this long actually - you were such a tough son of a gun - you beat cancer, heart disease, asbestosis and have been pushing back against various other things the last few years. I think more than a few of us have learned the lesson of NEVER GIVING UP from you.

Since I came back from living in Nova Scotia, we spent time working on boats, a houseboat, cars, electronics, wood projects, and so many other things, LOL. I would often save up projects to work on when I came down to Bath, because I knew we could connect over those.

It was great that we had a chance to really get to know each other as adults and get past some of those animosities and difficulties we had when we were both younger. I loved working on those boats and bringing them almost back from the dead. It was great to have projects together where we worked together to find the best solutions possible (for the lowest cost possible, LOL).

We got to explore the water around the Kingston area and the Rideau Canal system - that was an amazing thing to do in these last few years. It is so beautiful around the Kingston area waterways.

I really hope that creating this little memorial helps in some way.
Thanks Dad, you are (and always will be) the most important man in my life. And hopefully you are looking from on high right now, in peace . . . and pleased.

your loving son,
Rory

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Recent Tributes

October 16, 2021

It's hard to believe it's been a year today. Thinking of you Rory and family on this day. Much love, Kim, Cam and Ford

October 28, 2020

October 25, 2020

View all 18 tributes

Gallery

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His Life

CBC Story on Father's - Unknown Heroic War Experience

October 16, 2022

He died in 1966 at age 56, before his grandchildren were born. They were told little about him except that he had been severely wounded, and that he came home and worked at the jail in Georgetown, P.E.I., for years.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-family-world-war-two-grandfather-batchilder-1.5352205

"Most significantly, we knew he was a bit of a tyrant, we knew he was a drinker," Melissa Batchilder, Andy's sister, told CBC Radio: Mainstreet P.E.I.'s Matt Rainnie.

CBC Article on Discovering the War Trauma Story Behind Father's Nature

"So we didn't really talk about him much."

But last year Andy began delving into their grandfather's military service records, and believed there was more to Sgt. Batchilder's wartime past than just "a couple of weeks in France."

What they discovered on the trip was that during the Battle of Normandy, Sgt. Batchilder had been much more than the ill-tempered, hard-drinking man he was when he returned — he was a hero.

Melissa said they finally came to understand how he became the way he was.

"Through coming to understand what happened to my grandfather in that field near Tilly, France, we were able to put a human face on him," she said.

"It shone a light on his unknown valour."

They discovered Sgt. Batchilder had been shot by a German sniper, leaving him with five wounds through the shoulders, neck and head.

He lay for 24 hours in a field before he was discovered. Allied troops came through and spotted him on the side of the road,

"He was able to alert them that if they were to continue on, there were German tanks hiding out in wait for them," she said. Perhaps doubting the Germans were still there, a few troops did test the information by proceeding along the route and were killed, she said.

"But he saved the lives of dozens of other soldiers that day — it was July 25, 1944," she said.

She said the family now believes that like many soldiers, Sgt. Batchilder suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Families including theirs had struggled to understand their loved ones changed demeanour in the wake of the wars, without any frame of reference or support for PTSD.

"The story wrote itself," said Melissa, who jokes that she just "added the punctuation" to the tale.

The play is a multi-media experience incorporating video of the men's trip to Europe, along with photos and music.

Her father Paul's narration describes what led to the journey, how it transformed he and his son as people, and how it enriched their relationship with one another and with the memory of Sgt. Batchilder. Veteran P.E.I. actor Hank Stinson plays the role of Paul.

Andy Batchilder and his father Paul took an emotional journey through France and England this past spring, learning the true story of their father and grandfather's experience in the Second World War.

It takes the audience on their travels to the field and the spot where they believe Sgt. Batchilder lay wounded.

"The piece that is probably most poignant is when my father reaches that field in France, the transformation that happens for him," Meilssa explains. On that day Paul, who is 79, just sat in the field for a long time, thinking about his father and what he went through.

"To uncover the humanity of your own father at that point in your life — I know it's been a really meaningful experience for our father," she said.

The play didn't have to look far for a venue — Haley Zavo is one of Melissa and Andy's siblings, and is the executive director at the Kings Playhouse.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-family-world-war-two-grandfather-batchilder-1.5352205

Memorial Service VIDEO & Pictures

August 26, 2021

Please contact me if you wish to see the video of the memorial service.
contact me @ rory.batchilder@gmail.com

Memorial Service
Mom's place, Bath, Ontario,
August 7th, 2021

LAWRENCE SYLVESTER BATCHILDER
July 8, 1943 – October 16, 2021

We recorded Dad's memorial service during our Family Camp Reunion. It was a beautiful day for the event and it was quite moving.
We wanted to make it available to all his friends and family as so many were unable to attend. . . .
* Rory, Master of Ceremony/Eulogist, first 10 minutes of video.
* Butterfly appeared at the beginning . . . . made several more appearances
* Sarah performed a musical tribute, minute 17 - "Stand By Me".
* Stories and Tributes - from those not able to be present, minute 20 - 30.
* Final Prayer - minute 31.
********************************

- Obituary -

October 18, 2020

Lawrence Sylvester Batchilder

July 8, 1943 – October 16, 2020

A long-time resident of Bath, Ontario, Lawrence succumbed to injuries from a motor vehicle accident. He was a proud Prince Edward Islander, transplanted to Ontario in the early 60's. His determination was palpable - In the last several years he stoically dealt with health challenges and never gave up.

Lawrence and wife, Paulette (Dufresne) celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on October 2nd. Lawrence leaves behind son Rory (Alison Rose), daughters Deborah (Lance Brown), Dawn (Paul Daley), and Tara (Shawn Baldwin). Loving grandfather to Ryan O'Neill (Julia Murphy), Sarah O'Neill (Milan Verrelli), Alex Brown, Clay Hayes, and Tyrell and Dyrrin Daley. Great grand father to Sophia (Ryan O'Neill). Brother to Joan Englehart (Maurice), and Ken (Doreen), predeceased by brothers Paul (Rosemary ), and Eldon.

Contributions of stories, photos, and videos are highly encouraged to be shared in this interactive web memorial created in Lawrence's memory.

Lawrence was a retired member of the UA Local 221 Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Union. He was a jack of all trades and liked to tinker, always taking things apart and fixing them. He challenged himself by building two homes for himself and his family – doing as much as possible with his own two hands. The most important thing for Lawrence was his family - he was and proud of them all and never tired of talking to them about their adventures and accomplishments. His idea of a vacation was to just be with his family.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later time when people can gather safely. We are really hoping that people don't just read this and pass by without leaving something. Maybe not immediately, but after they thought about it for a day or two, come back and leave a little story or a couple of pictures in a tribute post.

View all 8 Life stories

Time at the green cottage

October 18, 2021

I have many good memories of time at the green cottage: cooking lobster from the pound, painting parts of it in my inside out pyjamas, Watching a local old man digging clams, watching Mark swim naked toward the seals and hoping they didn’t bite anything off, enjoying Rory’s bedroom ceiling hanging, trying to get a tent down in a horrendous wind that was making the attic entrance cover go up and down, scaring the heck out of little Hannah! It was such a peaceful place. I am so grateful Lawrence and Paulette gave us an opportunity to enjoy it.

Check Out the Videos in the Gallery

October 24, 2020

There is an assortment of videos in the Gallery section. They are all pretty short and entertaining mostly.

The Infamous "Grandpa Dance" video. Everyone takes a stab at it! Dad shows us how it's done at the very end. (3 minutes).
Dad fishing off the stern of the houseboat, Big Rideau Lake. (42 secs)
Dad's new cat Sammy, just hanging out on his foot. (20 secs)
Rideau Canal lock transit, trip to Portland with the Iron Lady, 2017. (53 secs)
Beach View, the Old Green Cottage, PEI, near Dad's hometown of Georgetown. (20 secs)
Rory taking Dad out on his salvaged old boat. Just offshore from the old family campsite at Pickerel Park, Hay Bay, Ontario. (1 min 30 ses)
Washing TeeWye the dog, with granddaughter Sarah. (2 mins 20 secs)

A shelf for Sarah

October 23, 2020

Had a pleasant surprise when I went to take a picture of Dad's signature on the back of a pine shelf that he made. The shelf is one of many items that he made from the wood that was cut from their property before they build their home. I remember that Dad put the shelf up for me in Sarah's bedroom when she was just a baby. When I turned the shelf around I found the inscription "To Sarah Grandpa 4/2/99".

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