Remembering Lawrence J. Shaw

Passed away peacefully at home in his 87th year early in the morning of March 20, the day after celebrating his 64th anniversary with his beloved wife Eleanor (nee Campkin). Lawrence was a proud and active member of the Orillia and area community. Born to Dalton and Maggie (nee Martin) Shaw, Lawrence spent his early years living in logging camps located in Oro, Thornton, Udney, Vasey and Waverly before his parents settled in Forest Home in 1946. He completed Grade 9 in Midland before attending the Orillia Collegiate Institute where he met his future wife Eleanor whom he married in 1955. After the death of his father, Lawrence took over running the family logging and lumber business, transitioning it to become Lawrence Shaw Ltd., a residential building and development company specializing in custom homes. Many will remember Lawrence for his incredible passion for aviation. After receiving his Private Pilot’s License at the age of 15, he went on to build his first plane “Little Angel” in 1964, then built, owned and refurbished three additional planes over the years. Lawrence was a founding member of the Orillia Chapter 144 of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Canada, eventually becoming president of the national association; he was a Past President of the Recreational Aircraft Association; a founding board member and Chairman of the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport; and a former licensed inspector of homebuilt aircraft for the Department of Transport. Lawrence’s passion for aviation was truly infectious. Many of his family members have become pilots and many of his closest friends were pilots. He enjoyed sharing stories with his weekly pilot groups and travelled across North America each year to multiple fly-ins. He was also the founding Chairman of the Orillia Lake St. John Fly-in which ran for over 25 years. As a proud member of the Orillia Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow recipient, Lawrence enjoyed more than 40 years of fellowship with the Rotarians. Together with Eleanor, they hosted many international students from around the world. Perhaps he will be best remembered for the countless hours he spent as a member of the Rotary Train Committee, maintaining the children’s train in Couchiching Beach Park each summer and supervising the ODCVI students who built the little train station. Lawrence will be sorely missed by his three children Stephen (Lidia), David (Carrie) and Pamela (John Parker); grandchildren Tiffany, Kristin and Matthew Shaw; Maggie and Mitchell Shaw; Michael and Andrew Parker; step-grandchildren David and Paulina Kozera; and five great-grandchildren Peyton Hopkins and Aunika Kerr; Hannah and Quinn Shaw; and Henry Shaw Hartman. Dad was a wonderful patriarch. He led by example teaching us to work hard, never complain, find a passion and give back to the community. We are privileged and blessed to have had him in our lives. He is survived by his much loved brothers Martin (Antoinette) and Gerald (Barbara); sister June (Bill Phelps); and “chosen brother” Ron Uloth (Diana). Predeceased by sister Marion. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. We will treasure the final months we had with him and would like to thank Dr. Tazzeo and the many wonderful caregivers who supported him during that time. Thanks as well to the many friends who gave so generously of their time to drive him to his favourite outings so he could stay connected with his community. Visitation will be held at the DOOLITTLE CHAPEL OF CARSON FUNERAL HOMES, 54 Coldwater St. E. Orillia on Saturday, March 23rd from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm and on Sunday, March 24 from 1 pm until time of service in the chapel at 2 pm. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation through the funeral home or to the Aunika Rowan Kerr Gofundme campaign.