Donald E. Wood, who spent many years as the proprietor of the former Lawrence’s Restaurant in Falmouth Heights, died at his home on May 19. He was 89.
He was the husband of Shirley A. (Childs) Wood. They had moved to their home in Falmouth Heights in 1957 and had been married for 52 years at the time of her death in August 2009.
He was the son of Clifford A. and Idamae (Yeager) Wood. Born in Barnstable, he lived in Falmouth for his entire life, aside from his time in the military.
After graduating from Lawrence High School, Mr. Wood became a member of the United States Army. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged.
Mr. Wood took over the operation of Lawrence’s from his father. Originally opened as a bakery in the early 1890s by Lyman M. Lawrence and then expanded and renamed Lawrence’s Sandwich Depot, the restaurant was sold in 1926 to Mr. Lawrence’s partner, Clifford Wood. Mr. Wood rebuilt the restaurant in stucco and stone in 1930 and expanded the kitchen to serve full meals. Donald Wood ran the restaurant with his wife until 1986, when he sold it.
The restaurant on Nantucket Avenue had served more than four generations of customers and was a popular spot for the summer community as well as year-round residents.
On the day of the Falmouth Road Race, Mr. Wood and his wife would be at the restaurant from 5 AM to closing and it would be filled with customers all weekend. For years, Nike gave parties at Lawrence’s; personnel from the company would find out the shoe size of all the employees who would be working the race day, and each received a pair of sneakers.
Mr. Wood was fond of hosting an annual slideshow of postcards and other memorabilia from fans of the eatery, who shared stories and more from as early as the 19th century.
During the off-season Mr. Wood was a self-employed general contractor performing carpentry and other home improvements.
Aside from his work commitments, he tended a substantial garden and, with his family, enjoyed clamming at Bournes Pond in East Falmouth.
Mr. Wood served as a Falmouth Town Meeting member and was a member of the Falmouth Lodge of Elks.
He leaves his daughters, Nadia Conrad of Niceville, Florida, Frances Smith of Falmouth and Rebecca Steinmetz of Montreal, Canada.
A celebration of the life of Donald Wood is being planned for a later date.
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May 29, 2020 at 11:00AM
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Donald E. Wood | Falmouth Obituaries - CapeNews.net
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