Denis Robert Lawrence

September 10, 1938 - March 2, 2022

Denis Lawrence was a man who lived life on his own terms! Determined to spend his remaining days on this earth in the comforts of his own home, he passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 1st, with his loyal dog Bailey by his side. He was born in Toledo on September 10, 1938 to Robert and Mary Jane Lawrence. Growing up an athlete in Perrysburg, OH, he enjoyed many years of basketball and baseball, including his junior year of high school in a Cuban study abroad program…something he always spoke about enthusiastically! Attending college at Miami of Ohio, he formed strong bonds with his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers. Denny played very competitive tennis through his early adult years and switched to golf later in life which brought him endless frustration only cooled off by a tall glass of scotch. He had a great sense of humor, and an incredible talent to tell inappropriate stories at the exact wrong moment! He had a love for the water and fishing, but paradoxically no patience to actually wait for the fish to bite. He was a lover of jazz, an avid Duke basketball and Buckeye football fan, but what seemed to bring him the most joy later in life was time spent with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, especially during the holidays. Denis is survived by his son, Michael (Dawn) Lawrence; grandchildren, Sam and Josie Lawrence; brother, Bill (Shirley) Lawrence; nephew, Jeff Lawrence; and nieces Stacy Alani and Jessica Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt and uncle, Alice and Jack Savage; sister, Kay O'Connell, and niece, Cecily Abel. A celebratory visitation will be held at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Monday, March 7th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest a donation to YMCA Storer Camps or the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. Please view and sign our online "guest registry" at CoyleFuneralHome.com