Obituary for Lawrence McNear
LIVERMORE– Lawrence E. “Mac” McNear, 85, of Boothby Road, Livermore, passed peacefully on September 29, 2021, just before morning chores, on the family farm which he named “Ponderosa Farm”, with his loving family at his side. He was born on February 26, 1936 in Leeds, the middle son of Elmo E. and Bernice (Rose) McNear. He received his education in local schools, graduating from Leavitt Institute. He met his wife Patricia “Pat” Jackson on a blind date and they married six months later on Sept. 1, 1956. Together they built a strong marriage lasting nearly 65 years. Mac was a well-known and respected General Contractor who built many new homes as well as remodeling many others throughout the area. He was a devoted member of the Livermore community, having served on the budget committee, planning board as well as serving as a Select person for the Town for several years.
Because of his family background and upbringing on a dairy farm in Leeds, he enjoyed a wonderful 47 year old “hobby farm” that helped nourish their mutual agricultural interests with an abiding desire to seek and find the virtues and values of farm life while enjoying the connections to both nature and community. There he raised Belted Galloways and Pinzgauer cattle to show at Fryeburg Fair. He was instrumental in starting the New England Galloway Group Heifer Project and proudly donated the first heifer for this project. He was also proud of winning National Championship of one of his Pinzgauers at Fryeburg. Until fairly recently, while grieving the passing of his beloved soulmate, Pat, who predeceased him five months to the day (April 29, 2021), he still had some cattle, but also had the wisdom to know when it was time to downsize and focus solely on his chickens; he enjoyed maintaining many old and new friendships with the selling of their eggs.
He is described by family as being known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor and he was known as a master of improvisations, with an engineering mind and skilled hands, he could problem solve readily. He was a Maine man who enjoyed spending time at his camp on Moosehead Lake, boating, fishing and hunting. Most of all family, friends and neighbors were his lifeline.
He is loved by his daughter Shelly Hanson and husband Peter of Chelsea; two sons: Randall and wife Tammy of Wayne and Stephen and wife Shirley of Livermore; 5 grandchildren: Brent and wife Caitlin, Mat, and wife Leah, Kristyn and Jessica McNear and Barry and wife Tiffany Hanson; and 8 great grandchildren: Cassidy, Alex, Lucas, Tucker, Raelynn and Savannah McNear and Trystan and Chase Hanson. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia and two brothers, Gerald and Alfred McNear.
A private family memorial graveside service will be held at a future date at Fairview Cemetery in Leeds. A celebration of life for both Mac and Pat will be held at a future date. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 308 Franklin Road, Jay. The McNear family suggests remembrance gifts may be given to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice 15 Strawberry Ave. Lewiston, Me. 04240. A kind word may be left in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com.
Because of his family background and upbringing on a dairy farm in Leeds, he enjoyed a wonderful 47 year old “hobby farm” that helped nourish their mutual agricultural interests with an abiding desire to seek and find the virtues and values of farm life while enjoying the connections to both nature and community. There he raised Belted Galloways and Pinzgauer cattle to show at Fryeburg Fair. He was instrumental in starting the New England Galloway Group Heifer Project and proudly donated the first heifer for this project. He was also proud of winning National Championship of one of his Pinzgauers at Fryeburg. Until fairly recently, while grieving the passing of his beloved soulmate, Pat, who predeceased him five months to the day (April 29, 2021), he still had some cattle, but also had the wisdom to know when it was time to downsize and focus solely on his chickens; he enjoyed maintaining many old and new friendships with the selling of their eggs.
He is described by family as being known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor and he was known as a master of improvisations, with an engineering mind and skilled hands, he could problem solve readily. He was a Maine man who enjoyed spending time at his camp on Moosehead Lake, boating, fishing and hunting. Most of all family, friends and neighbors were his lifeline.
He is loved by his daughter Shelly Hanson and husband Peter of Chelsea; two sons: Randall and wife Tammy of Wayne and Stephen and wife Shirley of Livermore; 5 grandchildren: Brent and wife Caitlin, Mat, and wife Leah, Kristyn and Jessica McNear and Barry and wife Tiffany Hanson; and 8 great grandchildren: Cassidy, Alex, Lucas, Tucker, Raelynn and Savannah McNear and Trystan and Chase Hanson. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia and two brothers, Gerald and Alfred McNear.
A private family memorial graveside service will be held at a future date at Fairview Cemetery in Leeds. A celebration of life for both Mac and Pat will be held at a future date. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 308 Franklin Road, Jay. The McNear family suggests remembrance gifts may be given to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice 15 Strawberry Ave. Lewiston, Me. 04240. A kind word may be left in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com.