Obituary of Capt. Lawrence Bollivar

Capt. Lawrence "Tommy" Bollivar June 20, 1915 - April 12, 2009. Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Crescent Beach, Lunenburg Co. on Sunday, April 12, 2009. Lawrence was predeceased by his wife, Pauline; father, Leroy; mother, Zilpha; brothers, Ralph, George, Manford, Malcolm, Gaius and an unnamed infant. Lawrence will be forever missed by his sisters, Seretha Montpeitite, Jean Wagner and Edith Stuart; his loving and devoted daughter, Patricia and son-in-law, Bob Freeman, Crescent Beach; son, David and daughter-in-law, Leone, Dartmouth; granddaughters, Angela (Michael) Maher, Hammonds Plains; Christina (Jacques) Desjardins, Quispamsiss, N.B. and Krista (Morgan) Watts, Dartmouth; and his adoring great-grandchildren, Grace and Abby Maher, Cameron and Logan Watts. Lawrence had a life-time connection with the sea, from his birth in Broad Cove, to his final days in Crescent Beach. His fishing career began with his father and it appeared inevitable he would follow that life until the war. Lawrence served his country with honor and pride, serving in the European theatre, spending time on the front lines in Holland with the West Nova Scotia Regiment (West Novies). After arriving home, Lawrence worked on land until once again his love for the sea called. He began his own career as a skipper in a make shift second hand boat with a borrowed engine, which was enough to get started in the lobster fishery. Lawrence fished with three long-liners, the “Little Hope”, the ”David & Pauline” and the “Pat & David.” Lawrence ended his commercial fishing career as owner and skipper of one of the first scallop draggers in Nova Scotia’s scallop fleet, the “Flying Cloud”, which fished out of Liverpool. Lawrence was known to be a tough and demanding skipper but always fair and a very hard worker. Following his retirement in 1980, Lawrence and Pauline started to enjoy the things retired people enjoy. They started the nomadic life of mobile trailer owners, only to find it a bit too much and then settled into a permanent site at the Ponhook Lodge Camp Grounds where they stayed seasonally until Lawrence pulled up stakes in 2007. Their life at Ponhook was a high point in their years, due mostly to the many friends who became a huge part of their lives. Lawrence and Pauline enjoyed traveling and had some wonderful experiences, especially when traveling with daughter, Pat; son-in-law, Robert and granddaughters, Angela and Christina. Lawrence’s experience in Jamaica, on the cat walk, modeling a Speedo bathing suit, at age 79 will never be forgotten as it was an event told to family on many occasions. Lawrence increased his hunting and fishing activities after retirement. A number of very close friends resulted from the community style hunting in the west Caledonia area. One of his hunting highlights was a guided moose hunting trip to Newfoundland with friends in his 70’s. The results were successful despite a serious injury. The Legion became a focal point for Lawrence as did his involvement with the Liverpool Seniors Group. His weekly schedule was built around these important activities. Following Pauline’s death, Lawrence joined Pat and Robert at their home in Crescent Beach and with Lawrence at age 90 the three traveled to the west coast to visit sisters Seretha, Jean and Edith, whom Lawrence had a not seen for many years. This trip was enjoyed greatly by all and many family stories were recounted in detail from four different perspectives with some very interesting revelations. At age 91 he took his love of the sea in a new direction as he, Pat and Robert went on a Caribbean cruise. Lawrence’s energy and ever curious attitude showed through and he enjoyed the experience immensely. The family would like to thank the many people involved in Lawrence’s care, with special mention of Dr. David Abriel and the members of the palliative care team from Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital, the committed care givers of Heart-to-Heart and Continuing Care, and his family doctor from Liverpool, Dr. David Gunn. Visitation for family and friends will be at Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel, Bridgewater from 7-9 p.m. on today. There will also be an open visitation held from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, followed by a Legion funeral service with Comrade Gordon Peverill, chaplain of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 38, Liverpool, officiating. The funeral procession will proceed to Forest Hill Cemetery, Back Road, in Broad Cove. A reception will follow at the Broad Cove Community Hall, Highway 331. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 38 Poppy Fund, PO Box 669, Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0.