Lawrence Arthur Sweeney, 83, of West Springfield, MA passed away on June 17, 2018 after a brief battle with leukemia. Lawrence was the beloved husband of the late Maureen T. Sweeney, who recently passed away in April. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts on June 21, 1934, Lawrence was the son of the late Edward F. Sweeney and Hazel V. Pinkham.
Lawrence, known as Larry to family and friends, was a quiet, gentle, and thoughtful man. Larry was a supportive and loving husband and father, and he was a proud “Pops” to his grandsons Michael and Mark. Larry was a talented artisan, who loved woodworking and building custom furniture.
Larry revealed remarkable hidden talents as an artist when at the age of 81 he took up drawing and painting too. Larry enjoyed landscaping and gardening with his best friend and wife Maureen, whom he called Mosey. Larry and Mosey would have celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on June 14, 2018.
Together, Larry and Mosey delighted in looking for treasures at antique shows and spending time at the ocean in Maine, Connecticut, and Bermuda. Larry adored Mosey and, for several years, faithfully cared after the love of his life during her extended illness. The night before he passed, Larry asked his nurse for guidance on what to do next.
His nurse suggested that Larry ask Maureen to come and get him. She did the next day, and they are together again. Larry was a mechanical engineer.
He designed injection molds for the plastics industry. He held various positions including Lead Designer and Chief Engineer of Engineering Operations at firms in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Larry also taught courses in drafting and engineering in various career training programs in western Massachusetts.
In retirement, Larry continued to work as a respected independent engineering consultant. Larry graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, MA in 1953, and he received his Associate of Science Degree in Engineering from Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, MA in 1958. Larry also spent nine years in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as an aircraft and engine mechanic.
Larry was honored to serve recently on the Board of Trustees of the Canterbury Woods Condominium Association. He was happy to be able to share his talents and skills to help his wonderful Canterbury Woods neighbors. Larry’s family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, part of JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, MA.
They lovingly cared for him during his illness and in his final days. Additionally, the family would like to thank his physicians, Dr. Udaya Jagadeesan at the Sosin Center along with Dr. Richard Steingart and Dr. Luke Mantle of the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care at Baystate Health in Springfield, MA for their amazing blend of expertise and empathy. Lawrence is survived by his daughter Kathleen A. Sweeney and her partner Linda Ho of Wethersfield, CT and by his son Kevin M. Sweeney and his wife Dr. Karen E. Marsian of East Longmeadow, MA, along with their sons Michael M. Sweeney of Sunderland, MA and Mark M. Sweeney of Savannah, GA.
He also leaves behind his sister-in-law and Maureen’s loving sister Margaret A. Cavanaugh of Westfield, MA. His family will receive relatives and friends at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street in Westfield, MA on Saturday, June 23, 2018 between 10 a.m. and noon. Burial services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Donations in memory of Lawrence can be made to JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106 (jgslifecare.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/).
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