Obituary: Lawson F. Salisbury, 88

by | Aug 25, 2022

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Lawson F. Salisbury, 88, passed away August 23. He was the husband of the late Joan M. (Lonczak) Salisbury. Born in Warwick on January 24, 1934, he was a son of the late Frank L. and Martha J. (Maxwell) Salisbury.

He was a mechanic for the former Main St. Garage in East Greenwich, had also worked for Mack Trucks and was a former volunteer fireman for the former East Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department Station 1.

Lawson dedicated his life to the East Greenwich Veterans Fireman’s Association and was a past President for the club for over 30 years. He was the driving force behind the club’s restoration and care of their antique firetruck collection and an active part of many parades and community events over the years with the antique firetrucks.

Lawson was the Foreman of the “Volunteer Hand Tub,” competing in Muster events and social events across New England for decades and was a member of the Rhode Island Antique Fire Apparatus Society.

He is survived by two daughters, Deborah A. Salisbury Desjarlais and Linda J. Wilson; seven grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, as well as his sister, Esther M. Taylor. He was the father of the late Robert F. Salisbury and the brother of the late Harold L. Salisbury (Former EGFD Deputy Chief).

A memorial service will be celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 12:30 p.m. at the East Greenwich Veterans Fireman’s Club with a reception to follow.

An online condolence may be left with the funeral home HERE.

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RAY RICCIO
RAY RICCIO
August 26, 2022 10:17 am

To the family, it is with grief that I learned of the death of Lawson. Words I hope which will only support fond memories of him. It seemed like just a week or two I was talking to him as he scratched off lottery tickets at a store on French Town Road.

The video of him and Lee Johnson discussing the EGVFD brought back many memories of such dedicated individuals.

What I wouldn’t give once again being at Elderage Field during the Fireman’s Muster. Lawson atop of the “Volunteer Hand Tub”, all eyes of those who fully manned the “Tub“ upon him (on our home field or elsewhere), waiting for him to bring the red handkerchief he held above his head to his side sending a signal to those who operated the nozzle the winds had shifted favorably and the water pressure held within the dome of that “Tub” was on it’s way to maintain the # 1 rating in it’s class of such competition throughout New England.

Joyce Wilson Williams
Joyce Wilson Williams
August 26, 2022 1:51 pm

My condolences to the Salisbury family. I felt Lawson was a neat man, so full of life, able to give and take laughs – the town will be missing a great man.

Brian Clement
Brian Clement
September 8, 2022 4:47 pm

Good, good guy. Always found a way when you asked. He will be missed.

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