Obituary of Lawrence D. Tower
South Hadley-Lawrence Dwight Tower son of the late Arthur and Ruth Tower, died December 28, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Holyoke in 1945 and lived most of his life in South Hadley and recently moved to Granby. He graduated from South Hadley High School in 1963, where he received the Joseph Shapiro Memorial Trophy and the David E. Barney Award. He was class president his sophomore and junior years, captain of the 1963 basketball team which won the Hampshire League title as well as the Small Schools Tournament and co-captain of the baseball team which won the Valley Wheel title in 1963 also.
Larry continued his education at Dean Junior College receiving his associate degree in 1966 and completed one year at Springfield College before being drafted into the Army in August 1967.
His military service included training at Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Benning, GA and Fort Polk, LA where he was an instructor in Advanced Infantry Training and promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was sent to Vietnam in August 1968 and assigned as a platoon sergeant with the 4th Infantry Division. He was wounded twice, the second injury leading to a lengthy hospitalization. Larry was the recipient of the Silver Star, Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat Infantryman Badge, among others. Larry, felt no greater honor than when he received a letter from his radio operator while in Vietnam. The last paragraph read, “Finally, a note to all your family – I think I can speak for our entire platoon in that we had such great respect for you over there. You were firm but always listened and laughed with the troops and I think every member of the platoon had the feeling that if we got into trouble there would be none better qualified to get us out. Sorry, I know you don’t like compliments but this one has to be issued.”
After release from the Army, Larry returned to Springfield College where he received his B.S. Degree, cum laude. In January 1973 he joined Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co. and spent the next twenty years as an underwriter in the Springfield home office. He took an early retirement with the title, Director of Underwriting and worked the next 22 years as a consultant with a large insurance agency on Long Island, NY.
He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Boston Bruins during the “old time hockey” days and relaxing with his four-legged companions Bailey and Bella. He spent many fun-filled summers at York Beach, ME and felt fortunate for a large and close family which awaited golf outings that were enjoyed by all.
Larry leaves his loving wife and best friend Jeanne, his son Robert (Diane), four grandchildren Jessa (Jota), Christopher (Sara), Brian (Mariah) and Thomas (Olivia). Six great-grandchildren Toby, Theodore, Hunter, Blake, Lexi and Sophia. He was predeceased by a son Richard and a brother Alan. He leaves many very close cousins.
Services will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105.
