Remembering the life of Lawrence Buswell (2024)

Kingston - Kingston, NH: Lawrence A. "Joe" Buswell, 85, a resident of Kingston (formerly of Plaistow), died Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Exeter Hospital, after a brief illness.
Born and raised in East Kingston, he was the son of the late Ralph and Etta (Webster) Buswell. He graduated from Sanborn Seminary with the Class of 1956 and attended Plymouth State College.
Mr. Buswell attended Barber school and in 1961 purchased Joe's Barber Shop on Main Street in Plaistow. He was fondly referred to as "Joe the Barber" by many over the forty-four years he owned the business. He was known to occasionally perform a few magic or card tricks for customers. In 1977 he, his wife, Gertrude and sister-in-law, Penny Southwick purchased lakefront property in Kingston and over the years built and operated Country Shore Camping Area. Joe spent many hours on his John Deere tractor working at the campground with a big smile and a wave to everyone who passed by.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plaistow and former member of the Plaistow Lions Club. He was a 70- year member of the Wingold Grange of East Kingston. He also served on the Plaistow Volunteer Fire Department for many years and as a deputy of Co.2 for several years. Some will recall him running from the Barber Shop to the old firehouse if there was a call during the day.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he most enjoyed the times he spent with his large family including his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. When his family was young, they spent the summers enjoying life on the lake including boating, swimming, water skiing and hosting cookouts for family and friends. In later years, he and his wife traveled the country in their motorhome and spent their winter months in Largo Florida enjoying golf, he even scored a hole-in-one. Joe was quite a card and cribbage shark, quiet but crafty and strategic. He enjoyed reading and playing free-cell solitaire of which, he had a hefty win total.
Mr. Buswell was predeceased in 2017 by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Gertrude (Southwick) Buswell. They were high school sweethearts, met when they were 16, married at 21 and had 3 children within 4 years. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his son, Lawrence A. "Larry" Buswell, Jr. of Kingston, two daughters Lori A. Buswell of Kingston and Lynda Mailhot and her husband Walter of Plaistow; eight grandchildren, Melanie, David, Jeannie, Jesse, Samantha, Maggie, Margie and Millie; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Abby, Jackson, Maddie, Riley, Max and Corey; two brothers Stanley Buswell of Upper St. Clair, PA, and Leonard Buswell and his wife Mary of Haverhill, a brother-in-law Lincoln West of Exeter, a sister-in-law Priscilla Southwick of Kingston and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brothers, Ralph Buswell, Jr. and Russell Buswell, and sisters, Marie West and Elsie St. Laurent.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 122 Main Street, Plaistow. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in his name to First Baptist Church of Plaistow, 122 Main St, Plaistow, NH 03865. Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home of Plaistow, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com.

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Published on June 21, 2024