Lawrence Guy Haggerty

Lawrence Guy Haggerty

HOULTON — Lawrence “Larry” Haggerty of Houlton, Maine, left this earth to enter his heavenly home happy, whole and at peace on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 8:55 p.m.

Larry was born September 2, 1934 in Houlton to Alberta Estey Haggerty and Henry Haggerty. He graduated from Houlton High school in June, 1952. Larry began working at Allied Sales in Houlton straight out of high school and then moved to the Houlton Water Company.

On December 28, 1954, he married the love of his life, Carol Ann Milbury, of Woodstock, New Brunswick. With fortitude and dedication, Larry worked his way to being the Superintendent of the Water and Sewer division of the Houlton Water Company where he remained for 35 years until his retirement on January 20, 1988. Larry was also a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Houlton for 18 years and served as Chief for three years. Larry served his country as a sergeant in the National Guard. He was also a longstanding member of the International Order of Oddfellows. Larry was also a board member of the Dollars for Scholars scholarship program for Houlton High School.

Larry was a talented athlete, known to some as simply “The Ballplayer.” He enjoyed playing baseball, softball, basketball, and was the Aroostook County Champion in ping pong in high school. Larry was instrumental in forming the Houlton Men’s Softball championship team, The Laymen, a team comprised of local Christian men enjoying the love of the game as a way to bring a witness of the love and forgiveness of Jesus to those who might not be comfortable inside a church. Larry’s competitive streak was a mile deep and wide. Even after a life threatening bout with Guillain Barré disease, Larry continued to play in County ping pong competitions in Loring and Florida taking on anyone who dared stand at the opposite end of the table.

Larry was also a talented musician, playing the piano, organ, accordion, trombone, guitar, and banjo.Larry learned to play multiple instruments during his years growing up in the Salvation Army. Larry continued to use his musical talent as the musical director at church where he was also a Youth Group leader, Choir Director, Sunday School teacher and Church Elder.

Larry was also a Big Brother through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters social services organization. Larry had a deep and abiding love for the outdoors and spent countless hours hunting deer and pheasant, and fishing his secret fishing holes. Larry had more than his share of dare-devil in his personality and entertained friends and family with stories of adventures on motorcycles, waterskis,snowmobiles, canoes, and four-wheelers.

Larry never turned down an opportunity to have an adventure and that spirit took him as far as Africa to hunt and fish with his missionary sons. He also prided himself on never being a quitter. Larry was a true spitfire, full of jokes and teasing, and he carried his buoyant spirit to the end of his journey.

Larry lived his values to the final hours of his life and was proud and happy to leave this world with his wife, all seven children, a daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter at his bedside, holding him in love, singing hymns, praising God, and sharing the love and peace of his Creator.

Larry was pre-deceased by his brother Henry Haggerty, Jr. and his brother David Haggerty. Larry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol, his sister, Lillian Lovely and husband Lawrence Lovely, his sisters-in-law Lois Haggerty and Letha Haggerty, his sons Brian Haggerty and wife Diane of Hermon, Maine, Brent Haggerty and wife Susan of Martinsville, NJ, Gregory Haggerty and wife Claudia of Phoenix, AZ, his daughters Dianne Grudda and husband Bill, of Saly, Senegal, Africa, Wanda Walborn and husband Ron, of Nyack, New York, Linda Haggerty of Mill Valley, CA, and Teresa Haggerty of Somerville, NJ, his 22 grand-children, and 10 great-grandchildren (and counting!) and five nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, send donations in memory of Larry Haggerty to James Griffin of Houlton-Hodgdon Dollars for Scholars at 179 Hodgdon Mills Rd., Hodgdon, Maine 04730. A celebration of Larry’s life was held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 at the Wesleyan Church in Houlton. Visiting hours were from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with a memorial service immediately following.

We love you, Dad. See you in heaven.