Laurence "Larry" F. Gardnerdied on Sunday, August 12, 2012. He was born in Littleton, NH on Apnl 11, 1933 to Theodore R. Gardner and Yvonne (Bilodeau) Gardner. Larry graduated from Dartmouth College in 1957 and from the George Washington University Law School in 1960. He passed the NH Bar exam that same year, and joined the Vermont Bar in 1966.

Larry first practiced law in his hometown of Littleton, where he also served a term on the School Board, officiated as Town Moderator, and was a Director of the Littleton National Bank. In 1965 he left law for a year to become District Representative for Congressman Jim Cleveland, and helped with the very successful 1966 campaign. In the fall of 1966, Larry Joined the law firm of Tesreau and Stebbins, which later became Tesreau and Gardner. In 1971, he opened the Gardner Law Office in Hanover, NH, and was the Hanover Town Counsel from 1969 to 1997. He relocated his practice to Lebanon, NH in 1989.

From 1965 to 1975, Larry served on the NH Bar Association Professional Conduct Committee. During this 10 year period, he served as chairman, oversaw the adoption of the 1970 Code of Professional Conduct in NH, and also served on the Board of Governors of the NH Bar Association. He was very proud of his work there.

Since the beginning of his career, Larry was active in the specialty of municipal law and it became his primary concentration by 1988. He represented more than 15 municipalities. His work as a lawyer was the most important part of his life and he wanted to be remembered as a good lawyer. He will also be remembered as a good man, and a good friend to many. Even in his retirement, he loved helping people with their legal problems, and refused any compensation.

Larry's varied interests included reading biographies, listening to classical music, growing roses, collecting toy soldiers, and producing his own backyard maple syrup. As no surprise to anyone who knew him, he loved to talk about almost anything and to tell legal stories. In his more active days, Larry played team volleyball for 15 years, rode his bike to work, and enjoyed paddling his Folboat on any body of water, even joining a group for a week-long paddle down the Connecticut River. His love of classical music led him to host a VT Public Radio show which lasted nearly 3 years. He lived a full life.

Larry is survived by Claire, his wife of 16 years, and by his children - Dr. Christopher Gardner of Palo Alto, CA, and Elizabeth (Lisa) Gardner of Saxtons River, VT.; by five grandsons - Colin, Rory, Jackson, Joshua and Zachary; by one granddaughter - Lindsay, and by a special niece - Tracy. Larry was predeceased by his two brothers - Mark Gardner and Robert "Bud" Gardner.

Contributions in memory of Larry Gardner can be made to the Gardner Family Book Fund at the Littleton Public Library of Littleton, NH, the place where he began his lifelong love of books. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday evening, August 24, from 6:30-8:30 at the Shaker Museum's Great Stone Building, 447 NH Route 4A, Enfield, NH.