GILLIGAN Lawrence Joseph Gilligan
Obituary
Lawrence Joseph Gilligan passed away on 17th May 1992 after an illness lasting four months.
Lawrie had lived most of his life in Rowville coming here with his parents when he was eleven years old. He was educated at Christian Brothers College in Essendon where he became interested in gymnastics and singing (choir). He later attended Dandenong High School where he studied woodwork and then became apprenticed to a leading building contractor. He left there to help build up the family business.
Older residents of Rowville will remember Lawrie driving around the farms with his baby sister Patricia in tow, to collect fowls, ducks and eggs.
Lawrie met Bev Christensen at a dance at Oakleigh and they were married in June 1961. They have five children - Peter, Annette, Michelle, Paul and Nicole. Their five grandchildren - Sarah, Roxanne, Samantha, Rowan and Daniel were the joy of Lawrie's life.
Lawrie made many friends and was always available to help in any capacity he could. He was a member of the Rowville Fire Brigade for many years; played cricket with Rowville when younger but ice-skating took over his interest and he often took many local youngsters to Oakleigh ice rinks. On skating night, kids from all around the district would arrive to accompany him. Bev was a keen tennis player and later Lawrie joined her as a member at the Rowville Tennis Club.
They spent most holidays camping in the country with their family and in 1991 bought land in Yarragon where they intended to build a home for their retirement.
Bev, with her family and friends, will plant a memorial area of Australian native trees on a portion of the property taking advantage of the wonderful views.
Lawrie and Bev had spent the last seven years in their own newsagency in Doveton, where he will be sadly missed. He was a great family man and loved his family, his home and his garden.
Prepared by the Gilligan family
First published in the August 1992 edition of the Rowville-Lysterfield Community News.