The Honorable Kenneth Laurence

PEABODY – The Honorable Kenneth Laurence, 88 of Brooksby Village, Peabody, retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, attorney, author and Law School professor, formerly of Sydney, South Portland, Lincoln, Lexington, and Peabody, beloved husband of Lynda Mae (Wilson) Laurence, entered eternal rest on November 12, 2025.  

Born in Sydney NSW, Australia, Ken was the son of the late Jacob "Jack" and Lorna Alice (Hilton) Laurence. When Ken was three years old his family left Australia to visit grandparents in the United States; they ended up stranded in Hawaii for almost eleven months when most ships were commandeered for the war. They finally made their way to the US mainland just weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. After some time in the San Francisco area, they trekked across the country to join family in Worcester, and eventually settling in Portland, Maine, where his parents joined the war efforts. They made their home in South Portland, where as a young man Ken had many varied jobs, including working at B&M Baked Beans, the Scarborough Downs race track, and at Hood Creamery. Ken excelled academically, athletically, and musically at South Portland High School, graduating in 1954. He began his university tenure at Harvard College, graduating in 1958 and earning a Fulbright fellowship to continue his studies at the London School of Economics, 1959. He then returned to Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1962. He then received a fellowship to study and teach at Oxford University for a year before returning to the States.  

Ken was admitted to the State and Federal Bar Associations in New York in 1963, Maine in 1964, and in Massachusetts in 1970. He began his law career in 1962, with the Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer & Wood law firm of Wall Street in Manhattan, where he learned the ropes of antitrust law. He was lured back to Portland to join Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer, and Nelson LLP, who were gathering the best and brightest in their fold. During this time, he also wrote all the musical notes for the Portland Maine Symphony. In 1962, Ken returned to New York to head the antitrust division for Dewey Ballantine, and in 1963 he met and married Lynda. In 1968, Attorney Laurence accepted a position teaching at Harvard University.  

The family moved to Cambridge, living first on Hilliard Street and then at Radcliffe College in Holmes Hall, as house parents to the all-female student body. During this time, he joined the dorm chamber group on the viola, playing with talented students such as Yeou Cheng Ma – whose younger brother, Yoyo Ma, was allowed to sit in once or twice. In 1970, Ken joined the Boston law firm of Choate, Hall & Stewart, where he worked diligently and became partner in 1975. His specialties were antitrust, environmental litigation, and health care. He also represented bondholders of independent public authorities in litigation and financing.  

Governor Michael Dukakis appointed Justice Laurence to the Appeals Court in 1990, where he served on the bench until his retirement in 2007. His appointment fulfilled his desire to pursue justice without shareholders and client billing – pure judicial opinion as the highest form of public service a lawyer can perform. During his time on the bench he became known as "Mr. Footnote" for the extensive and often creative and irreverent annotations he provided alongside his opinions. He has taught at Northeastern University School of Law and has written extensively in the areas of legal malpractice, the ethical practice of law, and the public trust doctrine. His imprint on the present and future of Massachusetts law is significant; in addition to his guidance of younger lawyers both in the classroom and in mock trials, he is the coauthor with Justice George Jacobs of Volume 51: Professional Malpractice, of the Massachusetts Practice Series. Justice Laurence was lauded throughout his career for his skill as a judge, mediator, mentor, and for his common sense, though he would be most proud of the strong relationships he had with all the employees of the court. Upon mandatory retirement from the bench at age 70, he worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office as a counselor until 2010.  

After 12-years as a resident of Lincoln, Ken, Lynda, and son Matthew, spent 28 years as residents of Lexington. They were involved civically and socially in town activities and members of Temple Emunah and Temple Isaiah. An active and outstanding 32nd degree Mason, Ken was a member of the Simon W. Robinson Lodge A.F. & A.M and a Shriner and member of the Aleppo Shrine Temple, and was proud to be in line when Matthew was raised as a Master Mason.  

Ken's lifetime love of music began at age 14 when he was handed a French Horn to play in the South Portland High School band. These humble beginnings set the foundation for musical talent that allowed him to be a member of the Harvard University band, the Lexington Bicentennial Band, the North End Roma Band, the Oberlandler Hoffbrau Band, the Shriner's Band, the Rockport Legion Band, and the Wakefield Retired Men's Band. He also played horn, viola, and violin in many chamber groups and orchestras including the Boston Bar Orchestra, and sang in choruses, including the Temple Isaiah choir and The Brooksby Gentlemen harmony group.  

He had many passions throughout his inquisitive and accomplished life. He relished travel with family and friends, and while allergies kept him from having pets through most of his life, he loved and was beloved by almost any animal he encountered. In 2011, he and Lynda moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody, and true to form, Ken made the most of his time at Brooksby, making many good friends all along the way. He served on the Resident Advisory Council and was chosen as Resident Director for three years where his monthly writings were a highlight of the Brooksby Buzz newsletter. He and Lynda were woven deeply into the fabric of Brooksby Village and consider residents and staff alike as friends.  

Ken's family and friends were at the center of his life. From his familial roots in Australia, to his early childhood friends from South Portland, to his many connections at Harvard; from his fellow colleagues admitted to the bar and justices on the bench, to friends in the temple communities and accompanying musicians; just about all would reflect that being in Ken's orbit made their life brighter. His irreverence and love of humor permeated just about everything in his life, from legal documents to pranks and creative illustrations, from the books and movies and games that he enjoyed to publicly dancing in the street to embarrass his teenage son or including Klingon phrases in his judicial opinions. He doted upon his wife for their more than 63 years together, and he deeply loved and supported his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter Sophie in all of their endeavors. Through his many life accomplishments, it has always been his family of which he has been most proud.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Lynda Mae (Wilson) Laurence, his son, Matthew Laurence and daughter-in-law, MaryHelen Gunn, his cherished granddaughter, Sophia Rose, and many cousins and family members spread across the globe.  

Ken summed it all up himself with this advice – "Always expect the unexpected" and above all else "Bloom where you are planted". With kindness and good humor and curiosity, he lived a life well spent and made the most of every moment, blooming in every situation in which he was planted. May his memory be for a blessing - Qapla'.  

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Ken's life, which will be held at the Chapel at Brooksby Village, Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, Sunday, December 14th, 2025 at 2 P.M. To be followed by light refreshments and fellowship in the catering room at Brooksby Village from 3 to 5 P.M. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., DANVERS. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Ken's memory to  Save the Children,  501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT, 06825 or online at savethechildren.org, or to the  MSPCA Angell Memorial Hospital  , 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com  

  For those unable to attend Ken's celebration in person, services will be livestreamed. Please join remotely by clicking the link below:  

 JOIN LIVE STREAM 

 Save the Children 
500 Kings Highway East Suite 400, Fairfield CT 06825
 Tel:  1-800-544-4470
 Web:   http://www.savethechildren.org/ 

 MSPCA- Angell 
350 South Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02130
 Web:   https://www.mspca.org/donate-now/