Laurence Ingersol Esancy Obituary (1948

ROCKLAND - Laurence "Larry" Esancy, 66, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, September 16, 2014. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He fought his illness with grace and courage, often saying it was God's goodness that gave him genuine peace. Larry was born June 11, 1948 in Rockland, a son of Lucille Payson and the late Laurence I. Esancy. Larry's biological father passed away just before he was born, and he was raised in Rockland with his mother and step-father, Donald Payson, Sr. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono. It was during his study of zoology that he determined there must be a Creator. After studying the Scriptures, Larry accepted Christ as his Savior. One of Larry's passions was Christian education. He was a school teacher in both public and Christian schools for over 25 years. He also served his country and retired from the United States Naval Reserves. He worked at the Maine State Prison for ten years and enjoyed the friendships he built while working there. Larry loved studying God's Word and sharing it with others. He was a man of prayer and spent countless hours praying for family and friends. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockland. On June 30, 1973, he married Linda J. Turner and together they had two daughters. Larry enjoyed family times at the lake in the summers and snowmobiling and skiing in the winters. Hunting and just being out in the woods enjoying God's creation were also favorite pastimes. Larry enjoyed outside work around his home and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Many knew Larry as a quiet serious man, but he had quite a sense of humor. Larry was predeceased by his two fathers, Laurence I. Esancy and Donald E. Payson, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Esancy of Rockland; his two daughters, Hilary Brown and her husband David of Dublin, Ohio, Kimberly Spear and her husband Daren of Cushing; his special grandchildren, D.J., Raelyn, Isabella, and Ashlynne; his mother, Lucille Payson of Rockland; his mother-in-law Jeanette Turner of Rockland; his sisters, Gloria Sharp and her husband Jerry of Rockland, Barbara LaDue and her husband Rick of Hamlin, N.Y; his brother Donald Payson Jr. of Rockland; his sister-in-law Sharon Ouellette and her husband Frank of Bangor; his brother-in-law John Turner and his wife Mary of Mattawamkeag; his aunt Faith Reed and her husband Sullivan of Owls Head; and many special nieces and nephews. The family has been blessed by so much kindness shown by family, friends, and neighbors throughout Larry's illness and wishes to thank you all. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Ramdin and the oncology and medical staff at Pen Bay Medical Center, and to all the wonderful caregivers at Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice. Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A Home-Going Celebration will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, September19, 2014, at First Baptist Church, 215 Limerock Street, Rockland. Pastor Ken Graves will officiate. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. Interment will be at Achorn Cemetery, Rockland. Donations may be made in Larry's memory to either the Bob Gagnon Cancer Fund, c/o Pen Bay Health Care, 22 White Street, or Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, 170 Pleasant Street, Rockland, Maine 04841. 2d:{"dateTime":"20