ROCKLAND — Laurence "Larry" Esancy, 66, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 16, 2014. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He fought his illness with grace and courage, often saying it was God's goodness that gave him genuine peace.

Larry was born June 11, 1948, in Rockland, a son of Lucille Payson and the late Laurence I. Esancy. Larry's biological father passed away just before he was born, and he was raised in Rockland with his mother and step-father, Donald Payson Sr. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Maine in Orono. It was during his study of zoology that he determined there must be a creator. After studying the scriptures, Larry accepted Christ as his Savior.

One of Larry's passions was Christian education. He was a school teacher in both public and Christian schools for more than 25 years. He also served his country and retired from the United States Naval Reserves. He worked at the Maine State Prison for 10 years and enjoyed the friendships he built while working there.

Larry loved studying God's Word and sharing it with others. He was a man of prayer and spent countless hours praying for family and friends. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockland.

On June 30, 1973, he married Linda J. Turner and together they had two daughters. Larry enjoyed family times at the lake in the summers and snowmobiling and skiing in the winters. Hunting and just being out in the woods, enjoying God's creation, were also favorite pastimes. Larry enjoyed outside work around his home and was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. Many knew Larry as a quiet and serious man, but he had quite a sense of humor.

Larry was predeceased by his two fathers, Laurence I. Esancy and Donald E. Payson Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Esancy of Rockland; his two daughters, Hilary Brown and her husband, David, of Dublin, Ohio, and Kimberly Spear and her husband, Daren, of Cushing; his special grandchildren, D.J., Raelyn, Isabella and Ashlynne; his mother, Lucille Payson of Rockland; his mother-in-law, Jeanette Turner of Rockland; his sisters, Gloria Sharp and her husband, Jerry, of Rockland, and Barbara LaDue and her husband, Rick, of Hamlin, N.Y; his brother, Donald Payson Jr. of Rockland; his sister-in-law, Sharon Ouellette and her husband, Frank, of Bangor; his brother-in-law, John Turner and his wife, Mary, of Mattawamkeag; his aunt, Faith Reed and her husband, Sullivan, of Owls Head; and many special nieces and nephews.

The family has been blessed by so much kindness shown by family, friends and neighbors throughout Larry's illness and wishes to thank them all. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Ramdin and the oncology and medical staff at Pen Bay Medical Center, and to all the wonderful caregivers at Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Home-Going Celebration will be held Friday, Sept.19 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 215 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. Ken Graves will officiate. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. Interment will be at Achorn Cemetery in Rockland.

Donations may be made in Larry's memory to either the Bob Gagnon Cancer Fund, c/o Pen Bay Health Care, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841, or Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.