CPO 1 (Ret'd) Raymond Cecil Lawrence MMMCD

LAWRENCE, Raymond C. CPO 1 (Ret’d) MMMCD – 90, of Dartmouth. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our Beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Brother, Raymond C. Lawrence, on March 6, 2021, peacefully at Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home Dartmouth N.S. He was the son of the late Woodford Smith Lawrence and Augusta Emma Lawrence of Fredericton, N.B. As a young man, Raymond joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1953. He had a distinguished career in the Navy that spanned 32 years. He served on the HMCS Algonquin, HMCS Restigouche, HMCS Cape Scott, HMCS Nipigon, HMCS Columbia, HMCS Annapolis, and HMCS Assinibione. He also worked at Osbourne Head and spent several years training the military participants in the Nova Scotia Tattoo, ending his career at MARCOM Headquarters. In 1974 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer First Class and in 1976 the first black Coxswain of Canadian Warship when he was posted to the HMCS Annapolis. Raymond traveled to Rideau Hall in Ottawa to receive the Prestigious Membership of the order of Military Merit. He was the first black Canadian to be appointed to the Order of Military Merit. Never one to sit still, after retiring from the Navy, he became a Deputy Sheriff for several years. His nieces and nephews were known to lovingly call him Chief or Father and teased him about being a new Sheriff in town, which always brought out that infectious laugh we all loved to hear. Raymond is survived by the love of his life of 64 years, Evelyn Carvery-Lawrence, daughter; Deborah Lawrence-Hill, grandson; Michael Lawrence (Dawnetta), granddaughter; Amanda Lawrence-Hill, great grandson; Michael Raymond Lawrence ll, also survived by sisters; Grace Skinner, Fredericton, N.B. and Great Fequa Plattsburg, N.Y. and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sisters; Miriam Payne, Jean Skinner, Fern Skinner also brothers; John Lawrence, Ralph Lawrence, Lloyd Lawrence, Louis Lawrence. Special thanks to the staff at Oakwood Terrance Nursing Home Unit D and Unit B for their gentle care and compassion. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation. A private funeral will be held (by invitation only) at A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home 217 Portland St, Dartmouth N.S. Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 2 p.m. Pastor Brian O. Johnston officiating. Masks to be worn at all times. Livestreaming will be available by clicking link on the webpage or through: https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/807ce6ac-4d24-41e7-a4d2-ce0c781a0b63 Donations in Raymond's memory can be made to Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or The Africville Scholarship Fund, Africville Museum 5795 Africville Rd, Halifax N.S. B3K 2R9