SUNSET AND CEDAR KEY, FLA.
Lawrence Willis Snowden passed away on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Cedar Key, Fla. He was born on Dec. 21, 1942, to Sadie Mae (Small) Snowden and Martin Whitmore Snowden in Deer Isle.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Allayne Lillian (Devereux) Snowden; daughter Audrey Snowden, daughter-in-law Moya Gibson and their sons Jeremiah and Russell of Holliston, Mass.; daughter Beverly Williams and son-in-law Christopher “Willie” Williams of Brewer; brother Norman Snowden and wife, Betty, of Gloucester, Va.; brother Roy Snowden and wife, Ginny, of Bena, Va.; sister Karen Cousins of Orland; sister Michelle Snowden of Bucksport; aunt Margaret “Peggy” Small of Tucson, Ariz.; mother-in-law Jean Devereux of Penobscot; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
Larry was predeceased by his mother, Sadie; father, Martin; uncle John “Alfred” Small; father-in-law Russell Devereux; and brother-in-law Galen Cousins. Additionally, many other beloved members of the extended family have gone on before him.
Larry graduated from Deer Isle High School, Class of 1962. He was a lifelong pilot, boat captain, auto mechanic, boat mechanic, truck driver, school bus driver, lobsterman and so much more.
He was widely known for his impish, electric sense of humor, and those lucky enough to meet him were personally touched by his generosity of spirit. He loved his grandchildren (both human and animal), and he loved helping people — any people, any time, with any tasks, mechanical or otherwise.
Larry had many additional loves: being in the sky or out on the water, the state of Maine, apple pie, the raspberry pancakes at Harbor Café, potato salad, riding motorcycles, racing cars earlier in life and watching car races on television later in life (the fewer commercials, the better!).
Every July 4, he reveled in “improvising” and creating a float for the Deer Isle parade (which may or may not have related to the parade’s official theme). Inevitably, he would wield an “Indian water pump,” drenching the audience from his perch atop the float, guffawing the whole way. Later in the day, at his family’s annual Fourth of July picnic at Sylvester’s Cove, Larry would relish chatting with his loved ones and making them laugh.
Larry truly loved his life and he loved his friends. He had a good 75 years. He did everything he’d wanted to do and more. Most importantly, he was a good man.
Larry, working with other area pilots, was instrumental in paving the runway at the Town of Stonington Municipal Airport. Over the years, he put in countless hours there, helping wherever he was needed to improve and maintain its quality. Whenever his friends at Penobscot Island Air came to Stonington to offer sightseeing flights for occasions such as the Lupine Festival in the spring or Lighthouse Day in the fall, his most cherished duty was hosting meet-and-greets for visitors (being sure to bring along the hot dog steamer, hot dogs and buns).
Because of his love for flying, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Town of Stonington Municipal Airport Fund, 32 Main St., P.O. Box 9, Stonington, ME 04681.
In late spring, there will be a graveside service at Hillside Cemetery in Sunset, followed by a celebration of life gathering. Details will be advertised a few weeks prior in the Island Ad-Vantages and The Ellsworth American.
Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelly Funeral Home, Ellsworth.