FRAHER, Dr. Laurence John – Surrounded by family and friends at University Hospital, on Friday, March 15, 2019, at the age of 63. Devoted, harmonious, and giving husband of Darien. Loving, guiding and nurturing father of Declán. Beloved son of Bridget and the late John, devoted son-in-law to Daniel and Thérèse. Cherished brother of Geraldine, Virginia and the late Anne Marie, caring brother-in-law to Andrea & Ian, Ann & Hervé, Dominique & Gordon. Loving uncle to Jade & Tara, Amber, Sophie, Kenneth, William, Natasha and Clara.
Although he was highly intelligent and successful as a scientist, he was very humble and used his gifts selflessly to help others. Laurence had a big heart and will be fondly remembered for his tireless devotion, encouragement and mentorship to all the students he felt privileged to teach, his colleagues and especially his grad students at the Lawson Institute. Family was most important to him and he was dedicated to creating time for family dinners every day and always a special Sunday roast. He loved spending quality family time in the country with Daniel & Thérèse and really enjoyed engaging in stimulating discussions of philosophy, politics and cooking with Thérèse. This extended to his neighbours, friends and many kindred spirits at Joe Kool’s who shared a love of companionship, baseball, European football, politics, philosophy, and those who really knew what it meant to be Irish. He loved cooking and would create memorable feasts for family, intimate groups of friends or a hundred friends, neighbours and colleagues on his 5 BBQs in the back garden. He had a talent for bringing diverse people together and creating an atmosphere to foster special relationships and dialogues which would never have happened otherwise.
This spirit was reflected in a St. Patrick’s Day wake held at his home to honour Laurence and celebrate his life. The house was full to bursting with people, music, food and drink, from noon to midnight. So many people came and stayed for hours to share their inner feelings with old friends and even with people they had never met before. The event was a miracle of reciprocity created by his friends who did for him, in kind, what he had always done for them. The overwhelming flow of love and support, fellowship and harmony was a true reflection of the special relationship he had with all he encountered, which in reality became a tribute to Laurence; it was a blessing.
The funeral service will be conducted at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 1246 Oxford St. W., London, ON, on Saturday March 23, 2019 at 10:30am. A reception will be held at the Church after the ceremony. Cremation to follow.
Memorial contributions to The London Singers would be appreciated.