Lawrence Leslie Hart passed away at the age of 80 on March 6th, 2023, at his home, with his grandchildren and their spouses by his side after a short battle with pneumonia. He was the oldest son of Ernest and Lillian (Moses) Hart. He was born on April 20, 1942, at a friend of his parent's home in Groton, Vermont. Lawrence and his siblings grew up in Topsham Vermont on what is known Hart's Mountain. They farmed and logged for a living. Lawrence went to school in East Topsham and Newbury. In 1959 he joined the United States Marine Corps. While home on leave he met Gertrude Murphy, and they were married in 1963. They raised three sons in their home in Topsham. After leaving the Marine Corps, he worked at the Capacity Plant in Barre and then on to other jobs. He worked for Danny Beams as a carpenter in New York City and then went into the firewood business. He and his youngest son Patrick bought a John Deere 440-B log skidder and went into business for themselves. Once that job got to be too much, he worked with his friends Eddie, Nanetta, and Donald Downing doing handyman work.

Through all this time, Lawrence was part of the Tri-Village Fire Department. He dedicated much of his life to serving his town on the fire department. He went to his last meeting just 5 days before his pneumonia set in. Although the Tri-Village Fire Department was a big part of his life, his biggest happiness came from the love of his family, friends, and his property on Hart's Mountain. Lawrence would do anything to help anyone. He would go to yard sales, buy fish poles, and give them to kids that needed them. He always looked for chainsaws. One of his quotes was: "If you're a man and you bring home a chainsaw…you can carve out a woman". Lawrence was a collector of many things. He was very musical and could play the harmonica, the Jew's harp, fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo, guitars, and both the organ and piano. He said he learned the harmonica by sitting on his father's shoulders watching him play. Lawrence took pride in entertaining others with his music and humor. He was forever proud to be a Marine. He enjoyed delivering the Bridge Weekly to neighbors and family each week. Raising chickens and sharing the eggs with family gave him joy. Of all the things he enjoyed in life, spending time with his sons, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren made him the happiest.

Lawrence is predeceased by his parents, his youngest son Patrick Hart, his sister Louise Darling, his granddaughter Tasha Hart, his best friend Edgar Downing, and his ex-wife Gertrude (Murphy) Foster. He is survived by his sons, Larry W. Hart Sr. and wife Emily, David Hart and wife Allison Davis, daughter-in-law Jodi Hart, brothers James Hart and wife Pat, Robert Hart, and sister Mavis Bruleigh. His grandchildren Larry Hart Jr., Daniel Hart, Patrick Hart Jr. and wife Makyra, Courtney Brigante and husband Travis, David Hart Jr., Tamara Hart Thompson and husband Ryan, and Erica Hart. His great-grandchildren Lily,
Sophia, Reed, Belle, Patrick Lawrence, Reese, Aurelia, and Aurora. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

At Lawrence's request there are no calling hours. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 13th at the top of Hart's Field off Hart's Road at 1:00pm.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tri-Village Fire Department c/o Richard Sampson, 32 James Downing Road, Topsham, VT 05076.