Obituary of Lawrence Emmanuel

Lawrence Emmanuel was born March 13,1944 to the late Philomene and Joles Gaspurd Emmanuel on the island of St. Lucia. He was the last of seven children. He attended Babonneau Primary school when he was four. Lawrence father died when he was only seven years old, so his older siblings assumed the responsibility to help their mother raise him. In his years as a young child, he was given a nick name Ayane from his twin nephews Augustine and Augustus Gaspurd. After leaving school at 15, Lawrence quickly understood that he had to fend for himself. He was therefore quite ambitious and full of drive, with a staunch determination to succeed. He never took “no” for an answer. You just had to listen to his stories about his encounters in search of apprenticeship and/or employment as a young teenager to appreciate his skill. You would be amazed at his wit and sense of humour. Lawrence went on to becoming a qualified heavy equipment operator for the St. Lucia Public Works Department with many notable new road projects all over the Island, including Babonneau, his own home village, to his credit. On March 23, 1968, His first pride and joy Elisha Emmanuel (who is now deceased) was born. Shortly after he migrated to the beautiful island of St.Thomas, U.S.V.I. in search of better life opportunities and a more promising future. In December 1971 he married his first wife Julita Florent, from that union they produced four children, Ivestus, Lee, (deceased) Bernia, and Galen. He was always in search of further spiritual truth. True to his inquiring nature, he became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. Thomas, raising his five children to know, love and serve God. Through his young years his first form of work on St. Thomas was Island laundromat, but he did not stop there. He then later moved onto becoming a salesperson selling world Encyclopedia. He later went back to doing what he loved the most, which was being a heavy equipment operator. He employed the same zeal and determination, and achieved outstanding success, not only as a salesperson but as a Heavy equipment operator, where he got the name “Backo Man. In April 2004 Lawrence remarried to Mary in St. Thomas. Then he retired from heavy equipment and went on to doing taxi services. They later relocated to Boston Massachusetts in 2017 After Hurricane Irma and maria devastated the island. Not to long after they moved, he found out he had lung cancer in May 2020. He often told everyone how much he appreciated and enjoyed the special dishes Mary prepared for him during his illness. He continually blessed her for her kindness, care and patience. Even though he was sick he still exhibited stalwart faith. Not one negative thought did he express, and he praised and thanked the Lord for his salvation. He always spoke about his children and grandchildren and the love he had for them all. He prayed for them without ceasing, and he wept for joy whenever they phoned or visited. He was always in good spirits, thanking God for His love and mercy, and leaving his situation to His divine will. He always asked for and welcomed prayer. And how beautifully did he pray too! Lawrence was dearly loved by everyone. He lived a good Christian life, serving the Lord faithfully. He would be missed dearly so rest on Lawrence until we meet again. You will be missed dearly.