Floyd Lawrence

Floyd Lawrence, age 83, died from heart failure at home on January 23, 2019. He was born on August 31, 1935 in Erie, son of the late George and Mary (Dworakowski) Lawrence, and brother of the late Paul and Robert Lawrence. He attended Jones Elementary school and graduated from East High School, where he was a member of the swimming and water polo teams.

He spent his entire professional life in the world of academia. After serving three years as a U.S. Marine journalist, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dubuque (Iowa) and received a master’s degree in English from Cornell University. For the next 16 years he taught English at The College of Wooster (Ohio) and Edinboro (PA) University. He left the classroom to direct public relations programs at several colleges, including Edinboro, the University of Southern California, St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and Occidental College in Los Angeles. For over 20 years he was the lead film reviewer for the Erie Times News Showcase, where he also wrote theater and restaurant reviews.

Floyd enjoyed reading, traveling, racquetball, bicycling, movies, dining, and photography.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Judy (Gnagi) Lawrence; children: Dale (Carol), Tim (Lisa), Pam, Scott, and Chris (Colleen) Lawrence, Christopher Brozell and Pamela (Michael) Zaycosky. He is further survived by several grandchildren, great- grandchildren, mother-in-law Eleanor Stuck, sisters-in-law Joyce Adams and Linda Gebhardt, along with several nephews, a niece and dear friends.

Cremation was handled by the Quinn Funeral Home, West 9^th & Liberty St. and services will be private. To honor his memory, cherish times spent, make a gift to a favorite charity or extend kindness to another person.