William R. Laurie

HUBBARD – William Roger Laurie, 89, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, at the Wade Park VA Clinic in Cleveland.

William, who was know to all as Bill, or Willie, was born in Youngstown on Dec. 16, 1927, to proud Italian immigrants, Giulio and Rose Matriciano Lauri.

When he was nine, Bill’s family began the Lauri farm on 78 acres in Coitsville Township. This land was the boyhood home of Williams Holmes McGuffey, who was best known for writing the McGuffey Readers, the first widely used series of textbooks in American education.

As a young man, Bill enjoyed playing the drums and had a small local band. He worked for several years at Youngstown Sheet & Tube, and served in the U.S. Army and was a cook, stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky. It there where Bill and his wife, Mary Fran, first met. In 1957, they married and moved to Hubbard where they would start their family.

In 1961, Bill and his brothers opened Laurie’s Garden City on McGuffey Road in Coitsville Township, where the business served the area for many years as a nursery, garden center, Christmas tree source, and commercial landscape company. Bill and his brothers also opened and operated other businesses in Hubbard, including The Golden Platter Restaurant, Hubbard Norgetown Laundromat, and The Golden Lantern Restaurant.

Bill was dedicated to his family throughout his life and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was passionate about his garden, and took great pleasure in giving personal tours. He recently enjoyed driving cars for dealers from Auto Auctions. Bill cooked all the time, and that is something his family will truly miss. He was honest, humble, and kind, and he would always like to leave people chuckling. He was a wonderful role model and will always be remembered with a smile on his face.

Mr. Laurie leaves his wife of 60 years, Mary Fran Adair Laurie, and their three children, Randy and Gary, each of California, and Julie of Girard. He also leaves his son-in-law, Jack Zeigler; his grandsons, Jack Ryan and Brett; his brother, Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and long-time dear friends.

Per Bill’s request, there will be no calling hours or services.

Interment will take place at a later date at Hubbard Union Cemetery.