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.