Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Lawrence A. ‘Larry’ Emerson passed away peacefully Saturday, January 3, 2015 , after a forty year battle with MS, at VA Maine Healthcare Nursing Home, Togus, with family at his side.

Born in Gardiner, February 13, 1944, he was the son of James H. and Marjorie E. Flagg Emerson. He was raised in the Gardiner/Hallowell area and attended local schools. He then entered the US Navy, where his primary duty was aboard the ‘USS Essex’, patrolling the East Coast.

Following his separation from active military, he returned to Maine. He married Barbara Ann Eddy in Waldoboro on April 16, 1966. The couple made their first home there, and later resided in Wellesley, MA for three years. Moving back to Maine, they settled in Rockland in 1971.

Larry began his career as an auto mechanic, until stricken with MS in 1974. For the past 28 years he resided at the nursing home at Togus, where the staff became part of his family. He enjoyed visiting with everyone on campus during his ‘morning walks’. He was an avid Bingo player, and rarely missed the games. He also collected contributions for the annual MS Walkathon.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; two daughters and their husbands, Elizabeth A. and Robert Bentley, Patricia L. and Clifford Davis all of Rockland; five brothers and their wives, James W. Emerson of Farmington, Randolph H. and Sandra Emerson of Waldoboro, David M. and Charlotte Emerson of Rockport, Terry W. and Elaine Emerson of Friendship, Harold H. ‘Rusty’ Emerson and his companion, Paula of Waldoboro; six grandchildren and spouses, Amber & Travis Rupe, Tabetha Flanders and Brian Campbell, Katherine Bentley, Johnathan Burch and Keshia Robbins, Katrina Burch and Dwayne Robinson, Elizabeth and Nathen LeMay; two step-grandchildren, Brea Bentley, Natasha Lamontagne as well as several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant brother, Peter J. Emerson and his sister, Janet M. Seigars.

Visiting hours (a Remembrance Gathering) will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Shuman Cemetery, Waldoboro in the spring and will be announced.

Due to Larry’s 40 battle with MS, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maine Chapter, 74 Gray Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

To share a memory or story with Larry's family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.