Obituary for Evan "Lawrie" Rhoads
Of Medfield, at 97 years old, passed away peacefully at his home in Medfield, MA on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
Born November 29, 1922 to Anna and Evan Rhoads in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Lawrie attended Grade School in Haddonfield then moved to Park Ridge, Illinois where he graduated from High School. He then attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana but received a military draft notice and decided to enlist in the Navy.
In the Navy, Lawrie met the love of his life, Irene Olintz, also in the Navy, and they were married in 1945. He served as the Pharmacist’s Mate on the heavy cruiser USS Columbus. After the war ended, he and Irene moved back to Richmond, Indiana so he could complete his degree in Chemistry back at Earlham College. Together they raised three children; Carol, Charles, and Lynne.
Lawrie’s professional career started as a Chemist at Devoe & Raynolds Paint Co. in New Jersey, then as a Salesman and later a Plant Manager with Armour Chemical Div., and again as a Chemist for Holliston, MA company Fillfast Corp. After several years at Fillfast, Lawrie purchased the packaging division, FDC Packaging, and moved the company to Medfield, MA. Over the years, with the help of Irene, daughter Lynne, and son Chuck, he built up the business as a highly successful supplier to the seafood, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
In Medfield, Lawrie and Irene regularly attended the Church of the Advent and helped with many aspects of Church life.
His hobbies included, coin and stamp collecting, restoring and showing antique MG cars, pipe organ restoration and boating and fishing.
He also served on the Medfield Planning Board for several years and supported the Medfield Senior Center and Medfield Animal Center.
Lawrie was well loved and respected by family and friends, lived a long and fruitful life and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years Irene, age 97 years, his daughter Carol Rhoads of Marion, MA, his son Charles and his wife Elizabeth Rhoads of Norfolk, MA, and was sadly predeceased in 2017 by his daughter Lynne Rhoads of Norfolk, MA. He is also survived by his grandson Jefferson and his wife Jennifer Rhoads of Norfolk, MA, and granddaughter Katrina and her husband Erik Lindholm of Arvada, CO, as well as great grandchildren Tommy and Nicky Rhoads and Ella and Avery Lindholm.
A service will be held at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield, MA at 11:00 o’clock AM on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to C.A.R.E. Southcoast Animal Shelter. Mail donations to Carol Rhoads, 8 Ladyslipper Lane, Marion, MA 02738.
Born November 29, 1922 to Anna and Evan Rhoads in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Lawrie attended Grade School in Haddonfield then moved to Park Ridge, Illinois where he graduated from High School. He then attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana but received a military draft notice and decided to enlist in the Navy.
In the Navy, Lawrie met the love of his life, Irene Olintz, also in the Navy, and they were married in 1945. He served as the Pharmacist’s Mate on the heavy cruiser USS Columbus. After the war ended, he and Irene moved back to Richmond, Indiana so he could complete his degree in Chemistry back at Earlham College. Together they raised three children; Carol, Charles, and Lynne.
Lawrie’s professional career started as a Chemist at Devoe & Raynolds Paint Co. in New Jersey, then as a Salesman and later a Plant Manager with Armour Chemical Div., and again as a Chemist for Holliston, MA company Fillfast Corp. After several years at Fillfast, Lawrie purchased the packaging division, FDC Packaging, and moved the company to Medfield, MA. Over the years, with the help of Irene, daughter Lynne, and son Chuck, he built up the business as a highly successful supplier to the seafood, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
In Medfield, Lawrie and Irene regularly attended the Church of the Advent and helped with many aspects of Church life.
His hobbies included, coin and stamp collecting, restoring and showing antique MG cars, pipe organ restoration and boating and fishing.
He also served on the Medfield Planning Board for several years and supported the Medfield Senior Center and Medfield Animal Center.
Lawrie was well loved and respected by family and friends, lived a long and fruitful life and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years Irene, age 97 years, his daughter Carol Rhoads of Marion, MA, his son Charles and his wife Elizabeth Rhoads of Norfolk, MA, and was sadly predeceased in 2017 by his daughter Lynne Rhoads of Norfolk, MA. He is also survived by his grandson Jefferson and his wife Jennifer Rhoads of Norfolk, MA, and granddaughter Katrina and her husband Erik Lindholm of Arvada, CO, as well as great grandchildren Tommy and Nicky Rhoads and Ella and Avery Lindholm.
A service will be held at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield, MA at 11:00 o’clock AM on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to C.A.R.E. Southcoast Animal Shelter. Mail donations to Carol Rhoads, 8 Ladyslipper Lane, Marion, MA 02738.