Lawrence “Lonnie” Edward Piper, Jr.

Lawrence “Lonnie” Edward Piper, Jr., passed peacefully at home on Thursday, June 1, 2023. He was 76 years old. 

Lonnie is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Ellice (Spector) Piper. 

Lonnie leaves behind three children, his daughters; Keira and her husband Michael of Ft Belvoir, VA, Vanessa and her husband Kevin of Charleston, SC and his son, Matthew of Whitman, MA. He also leaves four cherished grandchildren: Gideon, Julia, Rhodes, and Violet. Lonnie was the son of Lawrence “Larry” and Katherine “Kay” (Nichols) Piper of Augusta, Maine. 

He leaves his sister, Susan Piper and was predeceased by his brother James Piper. Lonnie was born in Augusta, Maine, where he attended Cony High School, and anyone who knew Lonnie would be quite familiar with many stories of his high school athletic prowess, specifically in football and track.

Lonnie was a natural storyteller and public speaker. He never passed up the opportunity to tell tales of his mischievous childhood, tormenting his younger brother and mother, always with a chuckle and playful twinkle in his eyes. 

After high school, Lonnie attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA where he earned an Assoc. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He later served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1972. During his service he was stationed at RAF Wethersfield in Braintree, England as a flight engineer, receiving the rank of SGT in 1968. 

At 26 years old, Lonnie left the Air Force, moved to Weymouth, MA and began work for the Badger Company. He later went on to become a Locksmith, operating his own business, Commercial Lock & Safe, in Weymouth from 1974 until his retirement in 2020. Lonnie and his son went on to create a complementary business in electronic security controls, Commercial Integrated Technologies. During this time, he was an active member of the Massachusetts Locksmith Association, serving as its President from 2006 to 2007.

As an Eagle Scout, he took great pride in the Boy Scouts of America program in which he was active for nearly 50 years. He rose to the position of Asst. Scout Master with his troop in Augusta. He continued to serve as an Asst. Scout Master while stationed in England. After leaving the service Lonnie became an Asst. Scoutmaster for Troop 8, Weymouth in 1974.  He then served as Scout Master for Troop 8 from 1979 until 1990, Scout Master of Troop 697, Whitman from 1990 to 1998, and Scout Master of Troop 22, Whitman, from 1998 to 2003. Lonnie was a member of the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of the BSA.  He was the recipient of the BSA’s Silver Beaver Award for his service in Old Colony Council & was also recognized by the National Council of the BSA, with the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouting Award in 2002 and later the Service to Scouting Award in 2007. 

Aside from his wife and children, Lonnie’s greatest passion was his involvement with Freemasonry.  A member of the former Wollaston Lodge, now Rural Lodge of Quincy, he joined in 1990 and served twice as the Master of his lodge. He later served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 8th Masonic District.  Lonnie was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Boston, where he served as an officer for many years, and most recently as the Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection.  Lonnie also received the Scottish Rite’s honorary 33^rd Degree in 2022.

He was a mentor to some and a friend to so many more.  His warm smile, friendly handshake, and encouraging words will be missed but remembered by all of us.

A wake will be held at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home 809 Main St., South Weymouth, MA on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a Masonic Service at 5:30 PM

Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Wollaston 81 Prospect Ave., Quincy, MA on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow at 20 Greenleaf St., Quincy, MA. 

The burial will take place at Rose Hill Memorial Park, 580 Elm St., Rocky Hill, CT on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 1:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:The Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc.  PO Box 519, Lexington, MA.