Lawrence Mills Obituary

Lawrence L. Mills, 94, of Plum, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He was the beloved husband for 68 years of the late Dorothy (Spencer) Mills; loving father of Gary (Beth), John "Jack" (Melanie) and James Mills; grandfather of Brandi, Ali (Paul Barbish), Bobby, Mark (Lori) and Christine Mills; and great-grandfather of Chloe, Kennedi, Gabriella, Kaden, Marissa, Spencer and Kaylee. Known as "Lindy," he was the brother of the late Julia, Lu, Frank, Mary, Mike, George, Ella, Rose, Jo and Liz; also survived by nieces and nephews. Larry proudly served his country in the Navy. He returned to civilian life where he took on an entrepreneur role alongside his sons over the years with the startup of Suburban Spray Service, Plum Contracting Inc. and Mills Associates. With the mind of an engineer and "two nickels in his pocket," he and lifelong employee, Larry Gardner fabricated much of the equipment used to develop his businesses. He was a man whose handshake was better than a signed contract. Known to be strong-willed in the business world, there was a generous heart underneath to his employees and business associates with offers to help in times of need and lessons to be learned. His childhood roots of growing up on a farm in Waterford, Pa., never left him as in his later years; he transitioned into full-time farming, raising cattle and Percheron Draft horses, which he showed at many a county fair. As one of Santa's helpers, he, alongside his first horse, Jim, collected money yearly for Children's Hospital in the parking lot of the Holiday Park Shopping Center. With a great patriotic spirit, he took part in many parades dressed as Uncle Sam in carriages and wagons he had restored. He had a great love for Plum Borough and wanted to bring the fond memories of his own childhood to the borough with the establishment of "Plum Community Days," later to be renamed "SummerFest." He was instrumental in the establishment and construction of Larry Mills Park. He was blessed to increase the size of his "family" when he entered Ridgewood Place in Renton. Our heartfelt thanks go out to their staff and Good Samaritan Hospice for the genuine love, compassion and smiles they added to his life. At the family's request, services will be private with interment in Plum Creek Cemetery. Friends will be welcomed Friday, June 24 at "SummerFest" at Larry Mills Park,199 Fontana Drive, Plum, PA 15239. Please join us at the tent honoring Larry and the Festival's history. Arrangements are by MAURICE L. KNEE LTD. FUNERAL HOME. If desired, the Mills family suggests memorials to furthering his vision for Plum community events and Larry Mills Park at www.paypal.com/donate/hosted_button_id=X6ADA3AXR8H2C.