Laurice Arthur Varney Obituary (1934 - 2016)

WATERVILLE, Maine--Laurice Arthur Varney, 82, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, Maine with family by his side. He was born in Waterville, ME, January 28, 1934, the son of Althea G. (Bennett) and Harold H. Varney. He attended Waterville, Maine schools and graduated in 1951 from Waterville Senior High School. Laurice served in the US Navy aboard the USS Laffey, DD-724, during the Korean War. He married Priscilla E. Witham on Sept. 11, 1954, and enjoyed 52 years of marriage. He was employed by the Maine Central Railroad as a machinist for 35 years. Laurice was Past Master and 62 year veteran of the Waterville Lodge #33 A. F. & A. M., Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District of Maine, Member of Teconnet Chapter #52, R. A. M. Waterville, ME, and member of Mt. Lebanon Council #13, R. & S. M. Oakland, ME. He enjoyed woodcarving, reading, history, and genealogy – tracing his family back to the 1600s in England. Laurice was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with friends and family. He was well-known as "Doc" by his friends and co-workers at the railroad due to his ability to "fix anything." He enjoyed time with his family and always had an affection for animals and pets. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife; his brother, Lloyd Varney; his grandson, Marcus Varney; and his great-grandson, Justice Ortiz. He was also predeceased by his special friend, "K. C.", his beloved Golden Retriever. Laurice is survived by his children, Deirdre Crombleholme and her friend, Bill, of Connecticut, Jeffrey Varney and his wife, Paula, of Smithfield, ME, and Jennifer (Jody) Almeida and her husband, Edward, of Waterville, ME; his grandchildren, Rebecca Cunningham and her husband, John, of Connecticut, Amelia Ortiz and her husband, Felix, of Connecticut, Dori Crombleholme and her fiancé', Sandra, of Connecticut, William Crombleholme of Connecticut, Nicholas Varney, of Smithfield, ME, James Varney, of Smithfield, ME, Josie Varney, of Smithfield, ME, and Emily Almeida, of Waterville, ME; his sisters, Marjorie Clifford and her husband, Harolyn, of Waterville, ME, and Esther Shores and her husband, Stanley, of Benton, ME; and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Memorial service at 7:00 p.m., at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield, ME. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home as well. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterville, ME. The family would like to thank Susan Abbott, FNP, of Augusta Family Medicine, Dr. Hammond, and the nurses and staff at MaineGeneral Medical Center, 1 West, for their wonderful care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waterville Area Humane Society, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901